ISLAMABAD: Muted celebrations marked Pakistan’s National Day on Monday, as leaders urged for calm and unity in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak across the country.

“Very rarely a calamity has such a worldwide impact as we are witnessing today. Nations have to go through difficult times, but only with unity, they sail through. We Pakistanis also need to stand united to fight this pandemic,” President Dr. Arif Alvi said in his statement on Monday.

He added that it is the responsibility of all segments of society, including the Ulema (a body of Muslim scholars), media, and political leaders “to play their role in educating the masses about the preventive measures against the virus.”

“Doctors and health workers are the first line of defense in this crisis, and the nation salutes them for their unrelenting and selfless endeavors,” the president said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the nation to show absolute unity, discipline, and passion in their fight against the deadly disease which has killed 06 in Pakistan and nearly 13,000 across the world.

In his statement on Monday, PM Khan appealed to the nation to exercise caution, adding that he was personally monitoring the government’s measures to stem the crisis. “God willing, we will stand victorious in this test,” PM said.

Pakistan Day is celebrated across the nation on March 23 every year to commemorate a resolution adopted for Muslims across the subcontinent in 1940.

“On this day, we also show complete solidarity with the oppressed people of Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir who had been under Indian lockdown since last 231 days in their territory but also fighting with valor against the Indian oppression,” PM Khan said in his message.

To encourage more people to stay at home, a military parade, which is celebrated with a lot of pomp and grandeur to mark the occasion, was also canceled.

The high-profile event has been attended by Pakistan’s president, prime minister, services’ chiefs, members of the diplomatic community, and a coterie of other officials and foreign dignitaries in the past.