Islamabad: Pakistan is celebrating its 82nd Pakistan Day today, March 23, to commemorate the passage of the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940. Continuing the annual tradition of showing might, the joint armed forces parade is also going on in full swing in the Parade Ground, Islamabad. However, this year’s Pakistan Day holds important significance as dignitaries participating in the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) watch as guests of honour.
The theme of this year’s Pakistan Day is “Shad Rahe Pakistan”.
The parade is attended by the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi are also attending the parade.
According to Radio Pakistan, the momentous day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals.
Nation celebrates #PakistanDay today with a commitment to ensure progress, prosperity and strong defence of country 🇵🇰#یوم_پاکستان #PakistanDayParade #PakistanZindabad #PakistanResolutionDay #ShadRahayPakistan @OfficialDGISPR @PakistanNavy @DGPR_PAF https://t.co/OVg5ZEUzXY
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) March 23, 2022
Guard-change ceremonies were held at the mausoleums of Quid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal in Karachi and Lahore, respectively.
President’s message
Earlier in the day, President Dr Arif Alvi issued a special statement on the official Twitter account of the President of Pakistan about independence, national stability, the supremacy of law, human and minority rights.
“Achieving national freedom is considered as half work. The remaining half, being crucial for a state’s security and stability, is equally important. This includes blending of various ethnic and minority groups into a single nation, ensuring the supremacy of law, eliminating terrorism and internal disturbances, achieving economic growth, promoting good relations with the world and above all, protecting human rights of all the citizens of the state,” President Dr Arif Alvi’s statement read.
Message from President Dr. Arif Alvi for #PakistanDay, #23rdMarch 2022
Pakistan Day is a landmark day in the history of the sub-continent on many counts.
On this day in 1940, the Muslims changed their demand from "separate electorates" to a "separate state," made it clear to pic.twitter.com/NkF7c9bc72
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 23, 2022
Prime Minister’s message
Prime Minister Imran Khan paid tribute to the Father of the Nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah and to all the leaders of the independence movement who fought for the unification of the nation through unparalleled sacrifices. He reiterated the need to renew our commitment to the real goals of the creation of Pakistan, justice and equality.
"23 مارچ تخلیق پاکستان کے حقیقی مقاصد انصاف اور مساوات پر کاربند رہنے کے ہمارے عزم کی تجدید کا دن ہے."
وزیر اعظم اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان جناب عمران خان کا 23 مارچ 2022 "یوم پاکستان" کے موقع پر پیغام#PakistanDay
1/9 pic.twitter.com/pNOQ0fd0hm
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) March 23, 2022
