A special feature of the parade this year is the participation of Tri-Services of People\u2019s Liberation Army of China, Saudi Special Force\u2019s contingents and Turkish Janissary Military band.
\nAli Bhai Kamran Alqudsi
\nISLAMABAD
\nThe 77th Pakistan Day is being celebrated nationwide with traditional zeal and fervour.
\nThe day dawned with 31 gun salutes in the federal capital and 21 gun salutes in the provincial metropoles, followed by a joint parade of all three forces of the military: Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, at Shakarparian Parade Avenue in Islamabad early Thursday morning.
\nA special feature of the parade this year is the participation of Tri-Services of People\u2019s Liberation Army of China, Saudi Special Force\u2019s contingents and Turkish Janissary Military band.
\nPresident Mamnoon Hussain is the chief guest of the event. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif are witnessing the parade. Among other dignitaries attending the ceremony is Chief of South African National Defence Force General Solly Zacharia.
\nChief of Air Staff Sohail Aman leads fly-past
\nChief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman led the flypast of the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy aviation in an F-16 plane.
\nMechanised columns of various prestigious services of the country exhibited inventory of highly sophisticated and modern weaponry and arsenal.
\nCivil organisations also showed their material presence at the parade by exhibiting floats depicting developments achieved by the country, besides the regional culture and heritage.
\nPakistan Air Force jet Shaheen is set for fly-past over the skies of Karachi later today.
\nArmed Forces display military might on Pakistan Day parade
\nTroops which took part in the parade included contingents of the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, 18 Punjab Regiment, 21 Frontier Force Regiment, 10 Northern Light Infantry Regiment, 760 Mujahid Battalion, Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Rangers Punjab, Paratroopers, Pakistan Police (represented by the Islamabad Police), Tri Services Lady Officers, Tri Services Armed Forces Nursing Services, Boy Scouts, Pakistan Girl Guides, Special Services Group (SSG) and President Bodyguards.
\nMechanised columns of Armoured Corps, Artillery, Army Air Defence, Signals, Engineers, Army Strategic Force Command also participated.
\nChinese troops participate in Pakistan Day parade
\nIn a historic first, Chinese troops took part in the March 23 parade. A 90-member Chinese delegation had arrived in Pakistan on Monday to participate in the parade.
\nPrior to the parade, Major General Li Chan told Chinese media in Pakistan: \u201cWe are here, as representatives of the Chinese public, to make the Pak-China friendship stronger.\u201d
\n\u201cWe could feel the warmth of the Pak-China friendship upon our arrival in Pakistan,\u201d the major general said. \u201cI hope that the friendship between the two countries thrives and flourishes. Pakistan is China\u2019s closest friend, best neighbour and strategic ally.\u201d
\nTurkish military band performs in parade
\nThe Turkish military band participated in Pakistan Day parade for the first time ever. The band, known as \u2018mehtar\u2019 in Turkish, is the oldest military band in the world, dating back to 1299.
\nIndia compromised peace in region: President
\nPresident Mamnoon Hussain, addressing the ceremony, condemned the repeated violation of ceasefire by Indian forces at the Line of Control and said Pakistan is ready to hold talks with India.
\n\u201cPakistan wants good relations with its neighbours. We are ready for talks with India,\u201d the president said.
\nHe vowed that Pakistan will continue moral and political support of Kashmir.
\nThe president lauded Pakistan\u2019s military might and said the country\u2019s defence is strong and invincible.
\nHe also paid tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives for Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A special feature of the parade this year is the participation of Tri-Services of People\u2019s Liberation Army of China, Saudi Special Force\u2019s contingents and Turkish Janissary Military band. Ali Bhai Kamran Alqudsi ISLAMABAD The 77th Pakistan Day is being celebrated nationwide with traditional zeal and fervour. The day dawned with 31 gun salutes in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15150,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15146","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n