ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, President Mamnoon Hussain, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of the Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mehmood Hayat and Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir stand for the national anthem during the Pakistan Day parade on Friday.—INP
“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