Snippets
The country celebrated Pakistan Day with traditional zeal and fervour. The celebration began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in provincial capitals. This significant factor of this year was the display of the might of Pakistani armed forces presented through an impressive military parade that was also witnessed by the dignitaries participating in the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Islamabad. The grand military parade in Islamabad was conducted by the three contingents of the armed forces and other security forces while fighter planes presented aerobatic manoeuvres. Troops from other countries, including Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, also participated in the parade. After the PAF fighters’ mesmerising show, Pakistan Army, PAF and Navy paratroopers demonstrated their skills with free-falls from 10,000 feet. Later, floats representing each province took a round of the venue. This year, for the first time ever, a presentation was given by Jammu and Kashmir too. The region’s float featured a miniature structure of the famous Dargah Hazratbal located in Srinagar. It also carried banners of freedom fighters who were martyred in Indian occupied Kashmir. TW