Pakistan exhibits military might on Republic Day

Female soldiers of the Pakistan Army chant 'Long Live Pakistan' during a military parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, March 23, 2018. Pakistanis celebrated their National Day with a military parade in the capital, Islamabad, showcasing short- and long-range missiles, tanks, jets, drones and other hardware. Troops, including female soldiers, marched past a stand with political and military leaders. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) — Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Pakistan exhibits military might on Republic Day

Armed forces displayed nuclear-capable weapons, tanks, jets, drones and other weapons systems during a military parade.

Dawn.com Published March 23, 2018

The nation is celebrating Pakistan Day 2018 across the country on Friday with traditional zeal and fervour.

Pakistan Day commemorates the passing of the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, when the All-India Muslim League demanded a separate nation for the Muslims of the British Indian Empire.

Pakistan's armed forces displayed nuclear-capable weapons, tanks, jets, drones and other weapons systems during a joint military parade held at Parade Ground in Islamabad to mark the day.

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

The parade also showcased local cultures with floats from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir .

President Mamnoon Hussain arrives at the venue for the Pakistan Day military parade in islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani border soldiers march past during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Troops from the Special Services Group (SSG) march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

President Mamnoon Hussain inspects a guard of honour during a Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Troops perform during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Tank crews steer their vehicles during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Armed forces soldiers march past during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani soldiers march past during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

A trooper performs during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

A Pakistani JF-17 thunder aircraft fly by during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Army soldiers travel on a vehicle carrying long-range ballistic Shaheen II missiles during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

An Indian delegation including Indian Army officer Sanjay Vishwasrao watch the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani artists perform during a Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani military personnel travel on a tank during a Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani jets perform aerobatic manoeuvres during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AFP

Pakistani Air Force jets demonstrate an aerobatic performance during a military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, and a top officer of Pakistan Air Force arrive for a military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Pakistani missiles are on display during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Soldiers stand beside Ra'ad I missiles on display during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Female soldiers of Pakistan Army march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

President Mamnoon Hussain arrives to attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrives to attend the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Pakistan's presidential guards ride on camels during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Female soldiers of the Pakistan Army chant 'Long Live Pakistan' during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad. ─AP

Comments (80) Closed

hawkins

Mar 23, 2018 08:54pm

Please include pictures of UAE military contingent, the Jordanian military band and the Turkish Air Force war machines pictures as well.

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Zulfi

Mar 23, 2018 08:58pm

Beautiful pictures. Keep it up Dawn

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Suraj Thakare

Mar 23, 2018 09:03pm

Is this every year activity?

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PR MAN

Mar 23, 2018 09:07pm

They make us proud of our past and hopeful of our future.

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AIZ

Mar 23, 2018 09:10pm

Proud of Pakistan Forces.

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zia

Mar 23, 2018 09:12pm

Pakistan Zindabad.

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Lahori kid

Mar 23, 2018 09:50pm

As always, I am amazed and proud, and left speechless looking at the pics. Reminds me of my childhood when we would accompany our father to the parade. A proud EX- Army officer's son and brother. Long live these brave and proud soldiers. Ameen.

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ehsan

Mar 23, 2018 09:53pm

beautiful pics though

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Abdul Hamid

Mar 23, 2018 10:04pm

Impressive work to ensure piece in the region.

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kumar

Mar 23, 2018 10:09pm

Looks nice, Congratulations Pakistan!

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Ahmed khan lehri

Mar 23, 2018 10:19pm

Beautiful and stunning pics. Long live Pakistan.

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Ahmed khan lehri

Mar 23, 2018 10:20pm

Beautiful and stunning pics. Long live Pakistan.

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Khan

Mar 23, 2018 10:35pm

Female soldiers is a new thing in this 23 March Parade

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King

Mar 23, 2018 10:38pm

Shows discipline... Long live Pakistan

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Waqas Ayub

Mar 23, 2018 10:54pm

I love u Pak Army.

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MAHMOOD MIR

Mar 23, 2018 11:09pm

well done Dawn

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nadir BALOACH

Mar 23, 2018 11:12pm

Long live Pakistan. love Pakistan Army from Proud Pakistani Baloch.

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Haroon

Mar 23, 2018 11:28pm

Beautiful female soldiers. Pakistan Zindabad

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dr khan

Mar 23, 2018 11:46pm

I also remember watching these parade as a kid at Race Course Ground in Rawalpindi. I am so proud to see smartly turnout of Pakistani forces with modern war gadget. It was smart idea to invite our archive rival India, at least they know, we as Pakistani nation are ready, just in case.....

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Suhail

Mar 24, 2018 12:26am

Priceless!

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saqib

Mar 24, 2018 12:56am

Nice to see Indian delegation present. Why can't relations be normal between two nations with same culture.

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Akhtar

Mar 24, 2018 01:26am

@saqib Ask this question to Modi.

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mansoor Kamal

Mar 24, 2018 01:28am

I like most the female soldiers of Pakistan, no missile, no jet have any value more than them

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Nadeem

Mar 24, 2018 02:32am

@Suraj Thakare @Yes, but the weaponry display may not show the full range or capacity; somethings are better left as surprises! War itself is a surprise after all

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Harry Jam

Mar 24, 2018 04:11am

Beautiful...need to learn more about the Lahore Resolution. Long live our civil democracy and long live Pak army...Pakistan zindabad!!

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Political connoisseur

Mar 24, 2018 04:51am

Must appreciate DAWN for such amazing pics of Pak Armed Forces,the best known forces in the world. The pic of Indian delegation with an Indian Army Officer as guests is an awesome and heart warming. The two great neighbors must be like this, the threads of friendship must be pick up, and rebuild confidence, the need for regional peace is on shoulders of India Pak in unison. Congrats to Pak Armed Forces for such a magnificent demonstration and thanks to all distinguished guests including our neighbors the Indian delegation, in our traditional sayings neighbors belongs to House as one family, hence they should feel at home. Hope the Pak delegation will also be invited in India to see such event.

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Mikw

Mar 24, 2018 05:27am

The best photo is where Indian army officers look in awe! I wish both countries stop impressing each other with WMD and start impressing each other with WMC (weapon of mass compassion). Love from a Sufi

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Vinay

Mar 24, 2018 05:28am

The day a Pakistani army contingent marches in the Indian parade and and Indian army contingent in the Pakistani parade...that will be when the sub continent would have truly progressed

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Imtiaz ali khan

Mar 24, 2018 06:04am

Pakistan, UAE, Jordan, Turkey all came together for the celebration and thank you Sri Lankan President. Pakistan Zindabad!

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nusrat

Mar 24, 2018 06:12am

@Suraj Thakare yes Suraj this is every year activity like your in India I am sure same thing every year over there.

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nusrat

Mar 24, 2018 06:13am

great proud nation is celebrating

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nusrat

Mar 24, 2018 06:14am

@kumar thanks and congrat to u as well

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Bilal aus

Mar 24, 2018 06:20am

Great Love you Pak Watan Salute

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Yaqoot

Mar 24, 2018 06:32am

@Suraj Thakare yes 23 March every year

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Wise2win

Mar 24, 2018 08:38am

Wouldn't it be better if we celebrate such occasions with something creative rather than the display of destructive forces? Whom are we trying to scare? Wish for peace than war.

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Viquar Syed

Mar 24, 2018 08:49am

Most prestigious ceremony ever and always. LONG LIVE PAKISTAN.

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sanjay sharma

Mar 24, 2018 09:23am

Wonderful pictures showing a proud Pakistani Nation on Pakistan Day. My best wishes to everyone in Pakistan.

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mohit

Mar 24, 2018 09:26am

Congrats Pakistan best wishes from Mohit delhi

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Danyal Syed

Mar 24, 2018 09:35am

Great People - Great Nation - Best Armed Forces... Long Live Pakistan and its people.

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DeLHIDUDE

Mar 24, 2018 10:11am

Wish you prosperity, freedom, democracy, freedom to practice your own faith and all the happiness forever.

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A Pakistani

Mar 24, 2018 11:09am

Long live Pakistan, and our glorious people. Aamin.

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Sridhar Raghunatha Rao

Mar 24, 2018 12:28pm

I am very much delighted to learn that our Indian delegation was invited to participate in Pakistan Day celebrations and the delegation did attend. This is a very heartening development and like this we can move closer and closer forgetting and forgiving the bitter past.

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Czar

Mar 24, 2018 01:02pm

Very proud of seeing our Sardar ji brother leading Pakistan Rangers contingent. All minorities are equally patriotic and deserve equal opportunities to represent progressive Pakistan that Jinah had envisioned.

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Vivek Wani

Mar 24, 2018 01:26pm

Strong Military Force. Congratulations. Nice picks by Dawn.

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Mar 24, 2018 01:44pm

@Mikw Best comment ever.

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Mar 24, 2018 01:45pm

@Vinay May your vision come true brother.

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Daniel madre

Mar 24, 2018 02:44pm

awesome pics

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waqar Ahmed saqib

Mar 24, 2018 03:09pm

excellent and excelence in all matters of natio,PAKISTAN ZINDABAD

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Imtiaz Ali Khan

Mar 24, 2018 03:42pm

@Vinay such beautiful words just brought tears in my eyes. Thank you brother may you Almighty listen to our prayers after all we are brother. Sending you lots of love from the Sindhu Dharti Maa where it all began. IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life!

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Ghar_Damad

Mar 24, 2018 04:19pm

Loved the way camels are decorated

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ayaz ahmed

Mar 24, 2018 06:07pm

amazing show of strength.we are with our army.respect!

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A Pakistani

Mar 24, 2018 07:18pm

@Vinay Indeed, thank you for your kind words. Also if you notice an Indian Army delegation is also attending this ceremony, that's a good start.

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Changez Khan

Mar 24, 2018 08:59pm

Awesome. Thanks DAWN.

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Izhar Minhas

Mar 25, 2018 02:28am

@Suraj Thakare Sure is. Long Live Pakistan

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Rehan khan

Mar 25, 2018 04:45am

Pakistan Army Zindabad Pakistan paindabad.

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sabir

Mar 25, 2018 06:02am

Female Soldiers and Male soldiers uniform looks amazing. I am fond of Uniform of Pakistan military. Dawn I was waiting for these pics!

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Nitin Patel

Mar 25, 2018 09:49am

Nice, It's awesome. Dawn keep continue posting such good things. Pictures are beautiful. Waiting for the day when Pak army marches in the Indian parade and and Indian army in the Pakistani parade. BTW, many congratulations to all Pakistani.

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Dilli ka Dil Wala

Mar 25, 2018 10:15am

Good inspiration taken from Indian republic day. But only difference is that Indian republic day is celebrated in the middle of the metropolitan and with the common man. This one is celebrated in safe zones.

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Farhan

Mar 25, 2018 10:45am

Love the picture of the proud Sikh soldier (pic # 2).

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Abdul Nasir Mughal

Mar 25, 2018 03:28pm

Please include brother countries UAE and Jordan's pictures too as it was a great moment to see these friends marching with our army at our great land. Thanks

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Iftikhar Husain

Mar 25, 2018 04:54pm

Wow what a display in pictures thanks Dawn for sharing.

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LAHORI KID

Mar 25, 2018 10:04pm

Its called Pakistan day parade, its about displaying our pride, I wish we would quit referring to it as military might.

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Jalaluddin S. Hussain

Mar 25, 2018 10:55pm

I was overjoyed to see the Indian and Sri Lankan representatives amongst those who celebrated an important Pakistani event. May regional peace prosper!

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AKH

Mar 25, 2018 11:19pm

India , Pakistan and Bangladesh should form a federation similar to EU and have common currency and visa system . Democracy and Secularism should be introduced like in Indian Constitution .Go back to pre-partition unity for peace and prosperity. This will help in regional development.

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Mar 26, 2018 12:57am

I will also like to see this show with my grandchildren, as I did as a kid in Karachi. This was a spectacular show for the selected and privileged few, which is regrettable.

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Zak

Mar 26, 2018 02:03am

@LAHORI KID why deny reality. Pakistan is a regional power with military might. It was on display.

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Imran

Mar 26, 2018 04:47am

Pakistan Zindabad

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Anil

Mar 26, 2018 05:53am

Thanks Dawn for sharing beautiful pictures. Congrats to all Pakistanis. Impressed to see an Indian army officer joining to see the parade. Hope the same would continue between two neighbors in future and bring peace to the sub-continent.

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Jehan Zaib

Mar 26, 2018 07:14am

Awesomeeeeeeeeee Pakistan Zinda a Baad

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LAHORI KID

Mar 26, 2018 08:31am

@Viquar Syed, Its a day we as Pakistani nation show our pride, just like you do. So congrats on your day as well neighbor.

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LAHORI KID

Mar 26, 2018 08:32am

@Suraj Thakare, Yes sir, Pakistan day is celebrated every year on March 23rd.

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Shahid Abro

Mar 26, 2018 09:04am

Long Live Pakistan

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Ghazi

Mar 26, 2018 10:44am

Nothing, but great. very heartwarming and proudly display of the strength

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DR. zaid ahmad al-muhaisen - jordan

Mar 26, 2018 01:10pm

jordan pakistan brotherhood for ever

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Shyam Kokku

Mar 26, 2018 01:56pm

Nice pictures and hearty congrats sisters and brothers of Pakistan!

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Sarfraz

Mar 26, 2018 03:36pm

Lots of Love for Pakistan forces.

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Ali khan

Mar 26, 2018 05:02pm

This is a honor for Pakistani nation. Need to be advance in education, morals and LEADERSHIP

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Ali

Mar 26, 2018 07:54pm

Great reflections Dawn!!

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Genie

Mar 26, 2018 08:10pm

Very Nice..Parade to watch hope India & Pak will walk together one day...

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Pakistani71

Mar 26, 2018 09:52pm

Pakistan Zindabad!!!

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