Zardari urges politicians to unite as nation celebrates Pakistan Day

As the nation celebrated Pakistan Day with a renewed pledge to work hard for the progress and stability of the country, President Asif Ali Zardari has called upon all the political parties to forget their differences and political interests and work unitedly for the Pakistan’s prosperity, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

The day marked adoption of historic Lahore Resolution on this day in 1940 that provided a framework for realization of the goal of a separate homeland for Muslims of South Asia.

The day dawned with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in provincial capitals.

Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for prosperity and solidarity of the country. National flag was hoisted on major government buildings.

Military parade

The main feature of the day was the grand military parade in Islamabad where contingents of three armed forces and other security forces conducted march past while fighter planes presented aerobatic manoeuvres.  

The military parade commenced with the national anthem, the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, after a special salute was paid to the national flag. President Asif Zardari reviewed the parade led by Parade Commander Brigadier Shahzad Ali Arshad which followed the flypast formation of the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Navy.

The contingents of the three armed forces and other security forces conducted a march while fighter planes presented aerobatic manoeuvres. After the PAF fighters and Cobra helicopters’ mesmerising show, Pakistan Army, PAF and Navy paratroopers demonstrated their skills with freefalls. Meanwhile, the PAF’s aerobatics display team enthralled spectators with their unmatched aerial manoeuvres.

Shaheen ballistic missile, Nasr missile system and other modern weapons were displayed during the parade.

Besides President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, federal cabinet members, services chiefs, diplomats, notables from different walks of life and a huge number of citizens attended the ceremony.

The impressive ceremony kicked off with the flypast of fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy. Newly inducted J-10C, indigenously built JF-17, F-16 and Mirage fighter jets as well as AWACs, P-3C Orion and ATR participated in the flypast.   

Despite presentation of military arsenal including missiles and equipment, contingents of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts, China and Azerbaijan also attended the Pakistan Day parade for the very first time.

Saudi defence minister guest of honour

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, who previously served as an F-15 pilot in Royal Saudi Air Force, was the guest of honour of the ceremony.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief General Asim Munir and important personalities welcomed the respectable Saudi guest of honour on his arrival at the scene along with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

President’s speech

President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said that Pakistan was a peace-loving and responsible nuclear state but it would neither make any compromise on its sovereignty nor would tolerate any efforts of terrorists or any group aimed at destabilising it.

Addressing the Pakistan Day ceremony in Islamabad, President Zardari said “Pakistan wants relations with all our neighbours. We are a peace-loving country and a responsible nuclear state. However, let me make it clear that we will not compromise on our sovereignty… We will not tolerate any efforts by terrorists or any group to destabilize our country.”

President Zardari said that the Pakistani nation and armed forces were always ready to respond to any aggression at all times. “Today’s parade is a reminder of our unity, strength, and pride,” said the president who earlier reviewed the parade after arriving at the venue escorted in his chariot by the presidential guards mounted on horses.

Zardari congratulated the nation on the Day which commemorated the historic struggle of the Muslims of the subcontinent to achieve a separate homeland under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He also paid tribute to the martyrs and Ghazis with a resolve to make all-out efforts to protect national security and sovereignty.

The president’s address encompassed domestic subjects like recent elections, efforts against terrorism, economic challenges, and the establishment of SIFC, and the regional situation including the human rights abuses in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as well as Gaza.

Zardari told the gathering that the Kashmir dispute was the main reason for instability in the region as the people of Kashmir had been demanding their self-determination rights for the last 76 years.

Condemning the Indian brutalities and the human rights violations in Kashmir, President Zardari urged the international community to play its role in the implementation of the UN Security resolution. He also assured the Kashmiris that the people of Pakistan would continue standing by them till they were given their right to self-determination.

Coming to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, he appealed to the international community to take measures to ensure that killings of women and children was stopped and a ceasefire was declared, besides establishing a humanitarian corridor.

The president also reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the Palestinian people till the resolution of the issue as per their aspirations.

Recounting the country’s journey marked with many ups and downs, Zardari said despite numerous challenges, the Pakistani nation achieved distinctions in the fields of defence, agriculture and technology, besides its internationally recognised contribution to fighting against terrorism.

Highlighting the current social, political and economic challenges facing the country, he said following the successful holding of elections and the formation of a democratic government, it was the responsibility of all to seek solutions to all the issues. “I believe that the way we faced the difficulties in the past, can steer the country out of the pervading problems even today. The Pakistani nation is hardworking and intelligent. The youth, using their mental capabilities, can guarantee a bright future,” he remarked.

President Zardari also requested all the political parties to set aside their political interests and work unitedly to bring in country’s prosperity.

Zardari told the ceremony that the Special Investment Facilitation Council had been formed to attract investment in agriculture, livestock, mining, Information Technology and energy sectors.

The president also thanked the friendly countries including China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and the UAE for supporting Pakistan in the difficult times.

Change of guard at Mazar-e-Iqbal

A simple but graceful change of guards ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Iqbal in Lahore early Saturday.

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force took charge of the guard duties from Punjab Rangers for today.

Air Vice Marshal Tariq Mahmood Ghazi was the chief guest on the occasion.

President, PM’s messages

President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed upon the nation to participate in the nation-building process actively, embracing the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion.

In his message on Pakistan Day, President Asif Zardari honoured the commitment and sacrifices made by the Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his companions.

The President said country’s armed forces, civil administration, police, and law enforcement agencies have, with unwavering commitment, ensured the safety, security, and sovereignty of our nation. 

Commenting on the Kashmir issue, the President said that the key to durable peace in South Asia is the resolution of the dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked the nation to renew the firm resolve to follow the footsteps of founding fathers to make Pakistan a trivet of peace, progress and stability.

In his message on Pakistan Day, Shehbaz Sharif said our forefathers made untiring efforts and rendered exemplary sacrifices for Pakistan as millions of Muslims left their homes in India and decided to migrate to Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said we are completely cognizant of the serious challenges confronting Pakistan currently including inflation, unemployment, circular debt, fiscal and trade deficit, and above all the growing scourge of terrorism.

The prime minister assured to stand committed to put Pakistan on the path to economic recovery and prosperity with a cogent policy reform framework.

Armed forces, CJCSC, Services Chiefs congratulate nation on Pakistan Day

The Armed Forces of Pakistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Services Chiefs have congratulated the nation on 84th anniversary of "Pakistan Day."

According to a statement issued by the ISPR, this historic day reminds us of the greatest sacrifices and contributions of our forefathers which they made in the struggle for creation of Pakistan.

The statement said plight of Muslims in India in general and IIOJK in particular, who are facing worst form of brutalities at the hands of the fascist regime, reminds us of the importance and value of the Independence where we cherish and respect our freedom every day.

It added that on this day, Armed Forces of Pakistan renew their resolve to defend the motherland and protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all times and at any cost, and uphold the national flag.

Change of guard at Mazar-e-Iqbal

A simple but graceful change of guards ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Iqbal in Lahore early Saturday.

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force took charge of the guard duties from Punjab Rangers for today.

Air Vice Marshal Tariq Mahmood Ghazi was the chief guest on the occasion.

CM Maryam’s message

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has underlined the need for new resolutions to crush the menace of terrorism, cut poverty and inflation in the country.

In a special message on Pakistan Day, CM Maryam said that during current hard times, countrymen need to show the same spirit that was expressed by the Muslims at the time of creation of Pakistan, adding that with same resolution and courage, we can make Pakistan strong as well as prosperous.

PML-N leader said Pakistan Day reminded us about the sacrifices and struggles of Muslims at the time of independence.

CM Maryam claimed that PML worked for the betterment of Muslim in the past and now PML-N was striving for the betterment of country under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.

She suggested that entire nation should make resolutions against poverty, corruption, unemployment and new wave of terrorism in the country.

CM Maryam said we should move a motion for public service mission and to make ourselves as responsible citizen of the society.

She said we as a nation should aimed at creating neat, clean and friendly environment to register Pakistan’s name among the comity of developed nations.

CM Maryam Nawaz also advised Pakistan youth to make resolution to make Pakistan a prosperous country.