The nation is celebrating Pakistan Day 2018 across the country on Friday with a military parade that’s showcasing short- and long-range missiles, tanks, jets, drones and other hardware.
Pakistan Day commemorates the passing of the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, when the All-India Muslim League demanded a separate nation for the Muslims of the British Indian Empire.
Contingents of Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, and Pakistan Navy held a march-past and a salute to the president of Pakistan. Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan led a fly-past as a salute to the president.
Troops from Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers, Northern Light Infantry, Mujahid Battalion, Tri Services Lady Officers, Tri Services Armed Forces Nursing Services, Special Services Group, and President Bodyguards also took part in the parade.
Troops from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated in the parade for the first time. The parade also featured troops from Jordan.
Following the soldiers, contingents of armoured and mechanised infantry held a march-past. Pakistan Army tanks, including the Al Khalid and Al Zarrar, presented gun salutes to the president. Radar systems and other weapons equipped with military technology were also rolled out. The NASR missile, the Shaheen missile, the Ghauri missile system, and the Babur cruise missile were also featured in the parade.
In 70 years this is the first time that Indian officials have attended the Pakistan Day Parade. Indian Defence Attaché, Brigadier Sanjay P. Vishwasrao, with other Indian diplomats visited at the Pakistan Day Parade.