Nation celebrates 81st Pakistan Day with fervour

The 81st Pakistan Day was celebrated across the country on Tuesday with great enthusiasm and fervour, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

It was on this day 81 years back that Pakistan Resolution was passed at Lahore’s Manto Park, now called Iqbal Park, which called for a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent. 

Similarly, it was on March 23, 1956 that Pakistan got its first Constitution. 

The day dawned with the 31-gun salute at the federal capital while 21-gun salute at the provincial capitals, while special prayers were offered for the solidarity of the country after Fajr congregations.   

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visited the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi to pay his respects. 

Members of the provincial cabinet Imtiaz Sheikh, Syed Owais Shah, Ijaz Jakhrani, Shabbir Bijarani, Shehla Raza and others accompanied him on the occasion.

In Lahore, change of Guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Poet of the East Allama Muhammad Iqbal.  

Air Vice Marshal Nadeem Akhtar and DG Rangers Major General Amir Majeed laid floral wreaths at the mausoleum to pay their respects. 

On this occasion, special prayers were offered for the solidarity and progress of the country.  

Parade deferred

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), had on Monday (March 22) announced that the Pakistan Day parade on March 23 would now be held on March 25 due to bad weather.

Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson said the Pakistan Day parade had been postponed for two days and now it will be held on March 25.

The ISPR said there was a forecast for rains and bad weather for the next two days so the event had been rescheduled to March 25.

The ISPR had planned to mark Pakistan Day this year in a befitting manner.

23rd March is an unforgettable day in the country’s history. This is the day when we all will have to pledge to work for the development of the country by burying our differences.  

President, PM’s messages

Prime Minister Imran Khan, on the occasion of the Pakistan Day, has urged the people to continue efforts to make the country truly democratic and welfare state.

Imran Khan reaffirmed his commitment to make Pakistan a humane, progressive and prosperous state akin to Riyasat-e-Madina based on rule of law, meritocracy, egalitarianism and compassion.

He said 23rd March, 1940 was a momentous occasion when the Muslims of the Sub-Continent decided to establish a separate homeland to free themselves from the shackles of oppression and slavery of the Hindutva mindset.

The Prime Minister also expressed solidarity with the innocent people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir who are being subjected to worst form atrocities.

He said we salute their courage and will continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically for realization of their right to self-determination under relevant UNSC Resolutions.

On the other hand, President Dr Arif Alvi also urged the nation to continue efforts to make the country truly democratic and welfare state in his messages on the occasion of Pakistan Day.

The President reaffirmed the resolve to make Pakistan an economically stronger and prosperous country. He urged the people to remember the Kashmiri brethren, who are being subjected to the worst form of repression and state-sponsored terrorism.

The President said the world must take notice of blatant human rights violations being committed by India in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the key to durable peace in South Asia is resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.