ISLAMABAD: The government decided to cancel the Pakistan Day Parade during the National Security Committee’s meeting on Friday, as the country reported new cases of coronavirus.
The parade was scheduled to take place on March 23 to commemorate the Lahore Resolution that was adopted on the same day in 1940 and laid the foundation of a Muslim-majority state in South Asia.
The event that is held annually in full media glare is attended by high-profile officials and foreign dignitaries, including Pakistan’s president, prime minister, cabinet ministers, services chiefs and members of the diplomatic community.
It also allows the country’s armed forces to display their war readiness and weapons systems.
This year, a 50-member contingent of Saudi land forces was also scheduled to participate in the celebrations.
The NSC meeting, which was attended by the services and intelligence chiefs along with chief ministers and top advisers, took other preventive measures as well to minimize the possibility of the spread of virus.
The Pakistan Day Parade was also called off in the past while the country was fighting the threat of religious militancy.
Government calls off Pakistan Day Parade amid coronavirus fears
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Government calls off Pakistan Day Parade amid coronavirus fears
- A 50-member contigent of Saudi land forces was scheduled to participate in the celebrations
- The parade was also canceled in the past while the country was fighting religious militancy
Pakistan’s deputy PM discusses ways to boost economic, trade ties with Iran
- Both countries agreed in August to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2028
- Pakistan and Iran have been working to stabilize relations after strained security ties
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting to discuss economic and trade cooperation with Iran, the foreign office said on Friday, as the neighboring countries seek to expand ties.
The development took place during an inter-ministerial meeting on Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations chaired by Dar in Islamabad. Pakistan and Iran have been working to stabilize ties following a period of strained security relations.
Both countries have been working to enhance bilateral trade, setting up border markets and exploring barter trade to circumvent banking and currency restrictions. Sanctions and foreign exchange shortages remain key hurdles for Iran, making these alternative systems central to its trade strategy with Pakistan.
“The meeting reviewed ongoing cooperation across a range of sectors and discussed ways to further enhance economic and trade ties,” the foreign office said in a statement.
“The DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening engagement with Iran in key priority areas.”
In December, the foreign ministers of Iran and Pakistan vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and connectivity while working for regional peace.
Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian also visited Pakistan in August, during which both countries signed agreements to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2028.
