ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) foreign ministers and representatives attended the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on Wednesday, where a fly-past by the newly inducted J-10C fighter jets enthralled the spectators.
Pakistan was hosting the 48th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on March 22-23, which coincides with the 75th Pakistan Day on March 23.
It is observed to commemorate the passage of the historic Lahore Resolution on the same day in 1940, under which Muslims of the Sub-continent set the agenda for a separate homeland for themselves.
The day dawned with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals, followed by a grand military parade that began at 8:30am.
While contingents of the armed forces conducted a march-past, fighter aircraft presented a fly-past above the Parade Ground in Islamabad.
In his message on the day, Prime Minister Imran Khan said it renewed the nation's commitment to adhere to the principles of justice and equity — the real objectives of the creation of Pakistan.
He paid a tribute to the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and all the leaders of the Freedom Movement for their unparalleled sacrifices.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan (3rd from L), President Arif Alvi (C) Minister of Defence Pervez Khattak (3rd from R), and the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa (2nd from R) observe Pakistan Day Parade in Islamabad March 23, 2022. (APP)
"It is important for our youth to note that Pakistan came into being through a long democratic struggle and now the key to its stability and development also lies in hard work, honesty and morality," PM Khan said in a statement.
"While commemorating this day, we need to adhere to the principles of Unity, Faith and Discipline given by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and rededicate ourselves to develop Pakistan as a truly democratic welfare state on the model of Riyasat-e-Madina."
Pakistan's armed forces take part in the Pakistan day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2022. (Screengrab)
President Arif Alvi said the demand of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Sub-continent had proved to be "politically correct" over time.
Saudi Arabia's army soldiers march during the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2022. (AFP)
Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated the Pakistani president on the national day, the Saudi foreign ministry said on Twitter.
They wished the government and the people of Pakistan steady progress and prosperity.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message of congratulations to President Alvi on Pakistan Day, the WAM news agency reported.
OIC delegates watch the Pakistan day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2022.(Screengrab)
UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi crown prince and deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces also sent similar messages to President Alvi and PM Khan on the occasion.
Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy demonstrated aerobatic feats for the audience during the parade, with all eyes on the Chinese-made J-10C Vigorous Dragon fighter jets. The J-10C can detect, engage and destroy targets at a long range both in the air-to-air and air-to-surface domains.
Pakistan's Air Force fighter jets fly in formation during a Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2022. (@PresOfPakistan/Twitter)
Floats from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir also featured at the ceremony to showcase the diversity of Pakistani provinces.
The parade was to be followed by an OIC ministerial session titled as "Role of the Muslim World in Fostering Peace, Justice and Equality."
A joint press stakeout would be released at the end of the two-day OIC summit this evening.
