Pakistan Day is being celebrated across the country today (Saturday) with traditional zeal and fervour.
A joint military parade is currently under way at Parade Ground in Islamabad.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is on a three-day visit to the country, is the guest of honour at the parade.
Top civil-military leadership, including President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Army Chief General Qamar Jawed Bajwa and the chiefs of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force are witnessing the parade.
The Bahraini army chief, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, and federal minister, including Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak, are also in attendance.
After the guests assembled on the stage, the parade began with the national anthem which was followed by a recitation of the Holy Quran.
Parade Commander Brigadier Naseem Anwar then requested the president to witness the parade.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan then led a flypast. Addressing the gathering from his jet, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief said, "We will always be the guardian of our skies. Pakistan Zindabad."
Various jets belonging to Army Aviation and PAF demonstrated aerobatic feats for the audience.
Various contingents from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, China, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and Turkey are also participating in the Parade.
Gun salutes, change of guards ceremonies in Karachi, Lahore
The day began with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad while provincial capitals — including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar — welcomed the day with 21-gun salutes.
The change-of-guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Dr Allama Iqbal in Lahore and Quaid's mausoleum in Karachi.
Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country, while the national flag was hoisted on all major government buildings.
An investiture ceremony will also be held at the President House in the evening where Dr Alvi will confer civil awards on individuals demonstrating feats in different fields of science and arts. In all, 171 personalities, including some foreigners, have been selected for this year's awards.
Pakistan Day is observed on March 23 every year to commemorate the passage of Lahore Resolution on this day, in 1940, when the Muslims of the subcontinent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.
Pakistan missions abroad as well as different organizations and societies will also arrange functions and ceremonies to commemorate the Pakistan Day and inculcate a spirit for the progress, prosperity, and defence of the country.
