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 opposition ends protests, PTI forms ‘Imran Khan Release Force’ for jailed ex-PM
- Opposition alliance ends week-long protests over Khan’s health concerns
- Party announces nationwide membership drive for “peaceful” mobilization
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani opposition alliance on Wednesday called off nationwide sit-ins held over jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s health, while his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced a new mobilization campaign, including the formation of an “Imran Khan Release Force.”
Pakistan has faced months of political confrontation between Khan’s party and the government since his arrest in 2023, with repeated protests, court battles and accusations by PTI that authorities are attempting to sideline its leader from politics, allegations the government denies.
Tensions have intensified in recent weeks after concerns emerged about Khan’s health in prison. Khan’s lawyer told Pakistan’s Supreme Court last week that the ex-cricketer had lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody, while a medical board said the swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved. Since last week, the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance has been holding a days-long sit-in at Parliament House over Khan’s health concerns.
“All sit-ins including the one at parliament have been called off,” Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai, a spokesperson for the alliance, told Arab News.
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi told reporters the party was preparing for an organized political movement to demand their leader’s release.
“After continuous violations of court orders, an organized public struggle has now become inevitable,” Afridi said, announcing the creation of an “Imran Khan Release Force,” with membership open to youth across the country.
Afridi said the organization would include PTI’s student, youth, women, minority and professional wings and would conduct a “completely peaceful struggle,” adding that Khan himself would dissolve the body after his release.
He said membership cards would be issued within days and supporters would take oath in Peshawar after Eid, with a formal chain of command operating under leadership designated by Khan.
“This struggle is for real freedom, supremacy of the constitution and law, democracy and free media,” Afridi said.
Imran Khan, 73, a former cricket star who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, was removed from office in a parliamentary vote of no confidence that he says was orchestrated by political rivals with backing from the military. Both the government and armed forces deny the allegation.
Khan has been jailed since August 2023 after convictions he and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party call politically motivated.
Broadcast outlets have been restricted from airing Khan’s name and speeches or even showing his image. Only a single court photograph has been publicly available since his imprisonment.
PTI swept to power in 2018 and retains a large support base across key provinces.
