ISLAMABAD: The country displayed its military might at the joint military Pakistan Day parade in the federal capital on Friday and warned adversaries against mistaking its desire for peace as a weakness.

The parade featuring troops from the three armed services, fighter aircraft, tanks, missiles, artillery guns, drones and engineering equipment was the main event of the countrywide celebrations held to mark the 78th Pakistan Day.

The anniversary commemorates the adoption of a resolution by the All India Muslim League on this day in 1940 in Lahore, which is seen as the first step towards the creation of Pakistan as a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena was the guest of honour at the ceremony, which was also attended by a contingent of troops from the United Arab Emirates, a military band from Jordan and Egypt’s top cleric Dr Shawki Ibrahim Abdul Karim.

Pakistan’s desire for peace shouldn’t be mistaken as its weakness, says president

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mehmood Hayat, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan also attended the ceremony.

The ceremony started with a fly-past of fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force led by Air Chief Mujahid Anwar Khan. Formations of fighter jets participating in the fly past included F-16, JF-17, Mirage, F-17, AWACs, C-130 and P-3C Orion jets.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Mamnoon Hussain said that desire for peace formed the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. “Our contributions for international peace and stability would increase in the coming days,” he added.

“It is imperative for regional peace that all aggressive, expansionist, interventionist and oppressive designs should be shunned by powers desiring hegemony,” the president emphasised.

He said that Pakistan was extending a goodwill gesture to all conspiring against peace and development in the region. At the same time, he said that this desire for peace should not be construed as the country’s weakness and underscored the need for peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue.

He condemned Indian atrocities in held Kashmir and said that granting the right of self-determination to Kashmiri people was the only solution to the longstanding dispute and Pakistan would continue to extend political and diplomatic support to the Kashmir cause.

President Hussain also condemned the repeated ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary by India and noted that India was threatening regional peace through such actions. Ceasefire violations are continuing last year’s pattern when 1,860 breaches were recorded in which 78 people were martyred. This year 690 ceasefire violations have been committed by India with around 30 casualties on the Pakistani side.

The president also recalled Pakistani efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He announced a new decoration — Tamgha-i-Azm — for members of the armed forces, civilian law enforcement agencies, Janbaz Force, Mujahid Force, National Guards, Maritime Security Agency and police, who have been on the active strength since Dec 11, 2001.

Besides the parade by the armed forces and paramilitary forces, Islamabad police, Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides also took part in the march past.

A performance by the Jordanian military band was the highlight of the event.

The official commentator — the Inter-Services Public Relations’ Col Shafiq Malik — in his commentary highlighted the events of the Pakistan Movement and the sacrifices rendered by the people for the attainment of a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent.

PPI adds: Aeroplanes of the Army Aviation and Pakistan Air Force showcased aerobatic skills. The combat and attack helicopters and skydivers of airborne units of the armed forces demonstrated breathtaking skills.

Another feature of this year’s ceremony was the demonstration of Turkish aeroplanes.

Civil organisations also made their presence felt at the parade by exhibiting floats, depicting developments achieved by the country as well as the regional culture and heritage. Cultural delegations from Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan featured during the ceremony, depicting the country’s diverse culture.

Besides a large number of diplomats from several countries, artists and people from different walks of life attended the ceremony.

The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad while in the provincial capitals it started with 21-gun salutes.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2018