ISLAMABAD: The joint armed forces parade held in full swing in the federal capital to exhibit the country’s military prowess and cultural diversities.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Naval Chief Admiral Ajmal Khan Niazi, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza, Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak attended the arms show.
Other cabinet members, diplomats, senior civil and military officials, and prominent figures who gained accolades for their services to Pakistan were also present on the occasion.
The parade held at Shakarparian Parade Ground included contingents of the tri-services, paramilitary forces and civil armed forces, whereas the troops from Pakistan’s friend countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Bahrain also participated in the show.
One of the important highlights of the parade was the fly-past of the newly inducted J-10C fighter jets along with various formations of Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft, which was led by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu as per the tradition.
The J-10C aircrafts, equipped with cutting-edge technology, were inducted into the Pakistan Air Force’s squadron earlier this month.
The marching columns of Armour Corps, Artillery, Rangers, Air Defence, Coast Guards, and the women contingent of Armed Forces Nursing Service passed by the dais.
The commandos of the Special Services Group (SSG) also demonstrated their skills during the parade, while the Sherdils team of seven Karakoram aircraft presented enthralling aerobatics, leaving a colourful trail of smoke in the blue sky.
Later, paratroopers of the three services made freefall jumps from the altitude of 10,000 feet and precisely landed at their designated targets in the ground.
Another colourful attraction of the event was the display of floats of all four provinces, including Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, depicting their unique culture through artefacts, folk songs and dances in a show of national harmony. A special float of OIC countries was also showcased for the interest of specially invited delegations.
Meanwhile, the participants of 48th Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers also attended the Pakistan Day parade on special invitation. This year’s theme is “Shad Rahe Pakistan” (May Pakistan Be Happy) and which is adapted from the words “Markaz e Yaqeen Shad Bad” in our national anthem (Blessed be the citadel of faith).
This year’s Pakistan Resolution Day was celebrated under the theme “Shad Rahe Pakistan”, which is also the title of the latest enthralling national song recently released by the Inter-Services Public. The song is written and sung by lyricist and singer Shuja Haider, with vocalist Yashal Shahid.
