18+ 
Pakistan’s National Day Celebrated
24.03.2019
Ever year on 23rd of March, Pakistan celebrates “National Day” to commemorate the “Resolution” passed by Muslim League, in Minto-Park, Lahore on 23rd March 1940, to establish a separate country for Muslims of sub-subcontinent. Subcontinent was ruled by Muslims from Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan and Arabs, for almost one thousand years, but was colonialized by British in 1857. World wars forced British Empire to leave this region. Muslims and Hindus jointly struggled for independence if India from British rule. But sooner it was felt that, Hindus wanted to whole India, without giving any rights to minorities. Muslims wanted it’s shared in the government based on its share of population. But, the narrow-minded and extremist Hindus, were not willing to share the government with minorities. Finally, Muslims of India were forced to think for separate country for Muslims where Muslims and Minorities can live freely, practice their religion and live in their own traditions & cultures.
This year, as usual, the National Day was celebrated with zeal and spirit. The day began with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad while provincial capitals marked the day with 21-gun salutes. Military parade was held at Parade Ground near the Shakarparian hills in Islamabad to mark the National Day. The parade also featured troops from Azerbaijan, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bahrain and Sri Lanka. Following the soldiers, contingents of armoured and mechanised infantry held a march-past. The Al-Khalid Main Battle Tank (MBT), Al Zarrar tanks, a variety of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) as well as howitzer guns were paraded in front of the civil-military leadership. Radar systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), cruise missiles and other modern weaponry equipped with latest military technology were also rolled out. Furthermore, the parade showcased local cultures of the four provinces. Cultural delegates and floats from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir were featured during the ceremony. Several formations of a variety of combat helicopters belonging to the armed forces demonstrated their capabilities before PAF fighter jets mesmerised the audience with their mid-air maneuvers.
The annual parade was attended by civil and military leadership as well as foreign dignitaries. Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) General Zubair, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the chief of Bahrain's armed forces and Prime Minister Imran Khan were all in attendance at the parade ground. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who arrived on a three-day visit to Pakistan on 21-23 March 2019, also attended the event as the guest of honor.
President of Pakistan’s message for National Day:
“23rd March marks the historic day when the Muslims of sub-continent decided to unite in their democratic demand for a separate homeland, where they could establish and practice their lives in accordance with their values and traditions especially justice, equality, and freedom. Today, therefore, is an occasion to pay tribute to the struggle and sacrifices of our founding fathers and pledge once more to live up to the ideals that form the foundation of the idea of Pakistan.
Pakistan has surmounted unprecedented challenges and demonstrated resilience in the face of extra-ordinary circumstances. It has accomplished exemplary successes in fight against terrorism and extremism. However, there still remains the challenge of socio-economic development. We need to work even more for national progress and prosperity.
We are committed to democracy, justice, and peace. Given our human talent and natural resources, our potential is immense. We are destined to achieve the status of a model democratic state, as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Let us have faith and remain united and let us commit to work hard with discipline to make Pakistan strong and prosperous. May Allah’s blessings be with us all”.
Message of Prime Minister Imran Khan for 23rd March 2019:
“23rd March is a historic day in our national history when the Muslims of Sub-Continent determined their destiny in line with the vision of Allama Mohammad Iqbal. That very day, the Muslims of Sub-Continent, under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, resolved to carve out an independent Muslim state for themselves thus breaking the shackles of slavery and putting an end to tyranny of the Hindu majority. The struggle of the Muslim culminated in creation of an independent Muslim state on 14th August 1947.
The creation of Pakistan enabled the Muslims secure their rights, religious freedom and socio-economic opportunities which were being denied to them by the Hindu majority who also threatened their cultural identity. The Resolution passed on 23rdMarch was aimed at creation of a state where the citizens could enjoy equal opportunities irrespective of caste and creed and where they could play their due role in the progress of the country.
The Pakistan of today is a New Pakistan. We are endeavoring to make the country a true Islamic Welfare State. We are committed to establishing a society which is based on compassion and justice and where every person can contribute towards socio-economic development to the best of his ability.
We desire friendly and peaceful relations with all our neighbors, based on the principle of equality. We want countries of the region to join hands for eliminating poverty and help their people achieve socio-economic prosperity. We want to make it clear that our desire for peace should not be treated as a weakness. Pakistan reserves the right to take every step for its defence. By the grace of Allah Almighty our defence is impregnable. We are proud of our gallant armed forces. The courage of our armed forces, the capability of our national security institutions and their countless sacrifices have foiled nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan. The entire world witnessed it during the recent Indian aggression and we emerged from the situation even stronger than before.
Today, we should not forget our Kashmiri brethren who have long been victim of Indian state terrorism and are forced to lead a life of misery. While expressing our solidarity with our Kashmiri brethren on this occasion we salute their courage and acknowledge their sacrifices. We reaffirm our resolve to continue our political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmir cause at every international forum.
Today we are at a critical phase of our history where we are waging a struggle to rid our country of corruption and malpractices. We are also striving for economic stability”.
