Impressive Pak Day parade held after seven years

ISLAMABAD: A highly impressive joint military parade by the armed forces took place here on Monday after a gap of seven years to commemorate the historic Pakistan Resolution of March 23, 1940 — the day that marks the birth of a separate homeland for the Muslims.
An air of enthusiasm and fervour blew across the country and slogans of ‘Allah-o-Akbar’ and ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ pierced the skies. A display of the latest missiles, tanks, UAVs (drones) and radar system infused confidence and trust in the nation.
Led by Brigadier Khurram Sarfraz Khan, personnel from all the three services — the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force — plus the Strategic Command, Rangers, FC, police and boy and girl guides participated in the parade.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Naval Chief Admiral Zakaullah, PAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, senior serving and retired civil and military officials, diplomats and citizens attended the event.
The event took place at the new Parade Ground near Shakarparian. In the past, the parade was held at the Parade Avenue in front of the Parliament House and before that at the Race Course in Rawalpindi.The colourful ceremony kicked off with a splendid fly-past of the PAF and Pakistan Navy aircraft, led by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.
The formations of F-16, JF-17, Mirage, F-7PG and P-3C Orion presented salute to chief guest President Mamnoon Hussain by flying over the dais.Keeping the tradition of his predecessors, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman flew over the venue in an F-16 Block 52 aircraft and presented salute to the president by performing a magnificent vertical roll over the parade square.
The fascinated audience fervently watched as the newly-appointed air chief’s aircraft disappeared in the skies.Following the air chief, a four-ship box formation of F-16 aircraft, under the command of Air Vice Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Air Officer Commanding, Central Air Command, flew past the saluting dais.
Immediately behind the F-16s, was the formation of JF-17 Thunder aircraft led by Wing Commander Noman Khalil.A four ship formation of F-7PG aircraft was also part of the fly-past. The formation, led by Wing Commander Sohail Akbar, elegantly flew past the venue.
Next to enter the arena were the formations of Mirage and F-7P aircraft under the command of Wing Commander Mushfiqur Rehman and Wing Commander Asim Zia respectively. Besides the fighter aircraft, airborne surveillance platforms of the PAF also participated in the fly-past for the first time in history.
First, the SAAB 2000 AEW&C aircraft, flown by Wing Commander Syed Inamullah, flew past the venue following which Karakoram Eagle-3 AWACS aircraft, flown by Wing Commander Zulfiqar Ali, gave its maiden appearance before the nation.
The fly-past was followed by some breathtaking aerobatics of nine ship formation of “Sherdils”, the aerobatics team of Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur.Wing Commander Amjad Mehmood was leading the Sherdil formation as it appeared on the horizon spreading the colours.
The spectators thoroughly enjoyed their aerobatics in the K-8 Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft and showed their appreciation by clapping and chanting slogans.After the thrilling performance of Sherdil aerobatics team, the locally produced JF-17 Thunder aircraft entered the arena which was flown by Wing Commander Mian Usman Ali.
The audience were left spell-bound to see the spectacular manoeuvers of this aircraft, rightfully called the pride of the nation. Moments after the departure of JF-17 Thunder, the roaring and thundering F-16 Fighting Falcon appeared on the horizon for solo aerobatics display.
Wing Commander Azman Khalil, who was piloting the lethal weapon system, enthralled the audience with his jaw-dropping and exuberant aerobatic maneuvers. The spectacular air display by the Shaheens of the PAF concluded as the F-16 disappeared in the sky under the applause of mesmerised audience.
Mechanised columns including tanks, rocket launchers, indigenously-developed short and long range missiles, including Nasr, Babar, Shaheen-1, Shaheen II, radars and unmanned aerial vehicles Burraq were showcased at the parade.
Floats depicting the cultures of the four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan were also part of the parade. Personnel of the Special Services Groups (SSG) displayed a breathtaking show of paratrooping. The skydivers of the Special Services Groups presented free-fall from 10,000 feet while carrying the national flags.
Addressing the nation on the occasion, President Mamnoon Hussain expressed the resolve to free the country of terrorism, militancy, ethnicity and sectarianism in order to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.
“Our destination is to make Pakistan such a country which is free of all prejudices and where people could live as per their own freewill.” The president said the Pakistan Day parade provided an excellent opportunity to pay tribute to the elders who waged a relentless struggle for the creation of homeland.
He said the nation should follow in the footsteps of their elders to steer the country out of all challenges and turn Pakistan into a great nation. Paying tribute to the martyrs, the president said the nation was proud of its sons who sacrificed their lives for the country and also made Pakistan a nuclear power.
He urged the nation to make a solemn pledge that they would work with devotion and dedication and not allow anybody to impede the development process. He said being a nation, it was also our duty to purge the country of curses such as corruption. The president said the government had set the right priorities and was working tirelessly for the welfare and relief of the masses.
Referring to the Zarb-e-Azb Operation, he said: “Our armed forces are rendering their lives in this most difficult war of the history. I will personally visit the soldiers and officers engaged in the Zarb-e-Azb operation. The martyrs of Peshawar school attack also deserve our salute who with their sacrifices made it clear to the enemy that this nation cannot be defeated.”
The president said Pakistan wanted peaceful and friendly relations with all its neighbours, including India, on the basis of equality. “Pakistan desires resolution of all disputes with India, including Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue. The Kashmir dispute should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions. This can only ensure durable peace and stability in the region.”
He said Pakistan enjoyed historic religious and cultural ties with Afghanistan and these relations were being cemented further.
The president also thanked the friendly countries which are extending cooperation to Pakistan in execution of different projects.The ceremony culminated with the presentation of national songs by the students of different schools.