Pakistan Day Parade یوم پاکستان پریڈ | |
---|---|
Genre | National patriotic parade |
Begins | March 23 |
Ends | March 23 |
Frequency | Annual |
Venue | Shakarparian Parade Ground |
Location(s) | Islamabad, Pakistan |
Country | Pakistan |
Inaugurated | March 23, 1956 |
Most recent | March 23, 2024 |
Previous event | March 23, 2022 |
Next event | March 23, 2025 |
Website | https://ispr.gov.pk |
The Pakistan Day Parade also known as the National Day Joint Services Parade is an annual event held at Shakarparian in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on the occasion of the Pakistan Day. It specifically celebrates the anniversary of the Lahore Resolution of 1940. It is overseen by the President of Pakistan as well as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The two are accompanied by Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), the Army Staff Chief, Naval Staff Chief, and Air Force Staff Chief as well as foreign guests on occasion. It is organised by Joint Staff Headquarters (JS HQ).
Between its inception and 2008, the parade was held at various venues in the country. These include Constitution Avenue, [1] Jinnah Avenue and the Race Course Grounds in Rawalpindi. [2] Over two weeks prior to the parade in 1980, a conspiracy to assassinate President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq by Major General Tajammul Hussain Malik during the ceremony was foiled. [3] In 2008, the parade was suspended for an extended period of time due to the growing terrorism in the country and fears that an attack on the parade was imminent. [4] [5]
After a 7-year break, it was reconstituted in 2015 on the 75th anniversary. [6] This decision was made in part to the anniversary's significance as well as the success of Operation Zarb-e-Azb by the Pakistan Army. [7] [8] As a precaution however, phone networks were blocked to thwart militants mobile cellular signals that could trigger bombs. [9] [10]
The parade was cancelled due political situation in the country in 1969 and 1971. In 1972 and 2002 the parade was not held due to military’s deployment on the borders. In 2003 and 2004 the parade was not held once again due to regional situation, including war in Iraq and Afghanistan and sudden spike in terrorism in Pakistan
In 1975 and 1994 the parade was cancelled due to inclement weather.
The parade was cancelled in 2020 due to the outbreak of the coronavirus in Pakistan, with the cancellation being an attempt to mitigate the fall out from the pandemic. [11]
The 2021 Pakistan Day Parade was postponed due to "inclement weather and rain" and was rescheduled to March 25. [12]
In early March 2023, it was announced that the 2023 Pakistan Day Parade will be held in a limited scale at Aiwan-e-Sadar due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country. [13] The parade was then postponed to March 25 due to "inclement weather", but it was cancelled the next day. [14]
The first Republic Day parade, as it was then called, was held on 23 March 1956 to mark the day when Pakistan became a republic on the same day. The parade was held at Karachi where newly appointed President of Pakistan Iskander Ali Mirza took salute. Simoultaneously the parades were held in other major cities and military garrisons. Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army General Ayub Khan took salute in Rawalpindi. Local Governors or military commanders took salute in Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Jhelum.
The central parade where the President took salute continued to be held at Karachi till 1960 while C-in-C of the army took salute at Rawalpindi. In 1961, the Republic Day was named Pakistan Day. The central Joint Services parade was held for the first time at Dhaka Race course where President Ayub Khan took salute. In 1963 the central parade was held at Fortress Stadium Lahore.
The central parade has been held at Rawalpindi from 1964 to 1989. The parade was shifted to Islamabad in 1990. The parade is led by a Parade Commander who is an officer from the Pakistan Army holding the rank of a Brigadier, usually a Brigade Commander or a Station Commander.
The Sherdils from the Pakistan Air Force Academy at Risalpur take part in the ceremony annually, performing formation aerobatics. On the planes used by the group, the Hongdu JL-8, has been showcased at the parade since 1994.
Other aircraft such as the CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder have also been unveiled at the parade. [15] [16]
Bands from the armed forces that are present include the Pakistan Military Academy Band (PMA Band), [17] the Pakistan Armed Forces Band and the Pakistan Air Force Band.
During the rehearsals for the planned parade on 23 March 2020, a Pakistani Air Force Wing Commander flying in an F-16 jet was killed when it crashed in a wooded area. [18] [19] [20] On March 13, 2020, A missing man formation would later be flown by the PAF on 13 March to honor the pilot.
Ironically PAF lost an aircraft during rehearsals in 1975 while the parade was later cancelled due to inclement weather on the morning of 23 March 1975.
On March 23 1987, a Mirage aircraft crashed on approach to the parade ground. Flight Lieutenant Saeed Iqbal was killed on impact.
The following officers from the army have led the joint services parade (incomplete list):
Year | Officer | Unit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1958 | Brigadier Abdul Qayyum Sher | 16 Baluch Regiment | President Iskander Mirza took salute. Parade commander Brig AQ Sher was Comd 51 Brigade. In 1965 he commanded 22 Brigade and was awarded Hilal-e-Jurrat. |
1960 | Colonel SM Mustafa Khan | 5 Horse & Guides Cavalry | Brig SM Mustafa was Station Commander Rawalpindi. C-in-C Gen Musa took salute. (At Rawalpindi. The central parade was held at Karachi, parade commander is not known. |
1961 | Colonel SM Mustafa Khan | 5 Horse & Guides Cavalry | Brig SM Mustafa was Station Commander Rawalpindi. Brigadier Ata Muhammad took salute. The central parade was held at Dhaka where President Ayub took salute, parade commander is not known. General Musa Khan took salute at a parade in Kharian, Brigadier RG Hyder was parade commander) |
1963 | Brigadier Sadiqullah Khan | 13th Frontier Force Rifles | For the first and only time the central parade was held at Lahore, capital of West Pakistan. However, President was unable to attend due to ill health. Nawab of Kalabagh took salute. At similar event at Dacca, Governor EP Abdul Munim Khan took salute |
1964 | Brigadier Azmat Hayat | Commander 10 Bde | Father of Yawar Hayat (PTV). Led 10 Brigade during Chammb offensive. Fly Past was led by Air Marshal Asghar Khan in a B-57 light bomber |
1965 | Brigadier Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi | 2 Punjab and 5 Punjab Regt. | Later Lt. Gen. |
1966 | Brigadier Zafar Ali Khan, HJ | Commander 102 Bde | Historic parade post 1965 War. Brig Zafar Ali Khan led 102 Bde during Chammb offensive and was awarded Hilal-i-Jurrat. All contingents were led by gallantry award winners. Prior to the parade the President distributed 153 gallantry awards to 152 recipients (two awards for Sarfaraz Rafiqui), including 35 posthumous awards. Included 1 x NH, 13 x HJ, 135x SJ and 2 x SBt. |
1967 | Brigadier Agha Ali Ibrahim Akram | 1 FF Regt. | Later Lt. Gen. |
1970 | Brigadier Iqbal Muhammad Khan | ||
1973 | Brigadier Akram Hussain Syed | 5 H, 15 L, 22 C, 26 C | Special Service Group participated for the first time. Also for the first time, the Baluch Regiment contingent was dressed in the new camouflage smock. |
1976 | Brigadier Saadullah Khan, HJ | 14 Punjab Regt. | Brig. Saadullah was recommended for the award of Nishan-i-Haider for valour during 1971 war and was awarded HJ. The new camouflage smock was worn by the entire parade. |
1978 | Brigadier Mustafa Anwar Hussain | 2FF, 9FF & 11FF Regt. | Later Maj. Gen. |
1979 | Brigadier Khawaja Rahat Latif | 1 FF Regt. | Later Maj. Gen. |
1980 | Brigadier Zafar Hayat | FF Regt. | Cultural and Industrial floats were included in the parade for the first time. |
1982 | Brigadier Rehmdil Bhatti | FF Regt. | Later Lt. Gen. |
1983 | Brigadier Nasir Mehmood | 1 Punjab Regt. | |
1985 | Brigadier Sultan Mehmood | Baluch Regt. | |
1987 | Brigadier Afzal Janjua, SJ | 7 Punjab Regt. | Later Lt. Gen. |
1989 | Brigadier Yasub Dogar | 2 FF Regt. (Guides) | |
1990 | Brigadier Jamshed Gulzar | 22 Baluch Regt. | Later Lt. Gen. For the first time the parade was held in Islamabad. |
1991 | Brigadier Kamal Alam, TJ | 12 Baluch Regt. | |
1993 | Brigadier Abdul Qadir Baluch | 41 Baluch Regt. | Later Lt. Gen. Governor of Baluchistan |
1995 | Brigadier Hamid Rabnawaz | FF Regt. | later Lt. Gen. |
1996 | Brigadier Naveed Nasr | 17 Punjab Regt. | Also commanded 70 Punjab Regt. |
1997 | Brigadier Javed Iqbal | 14 Field Regt. | MS to Nawaz Sharif in 1999 |
1998 | Brigadier Akram Sahi | Punjab Regt. | Later Maj. Gen. |
1999 | Brigadier Khalid Nawaz Janjua | 3 Baluch Regt. | Later Lt. Gen. |
2000 | Brigadier Sardar Mahmood Ali Khan | 19 Punjab Regt. | Later Lt. Gen. |
2001 | Brigadier Badar Munir | 5 AK Regt. | Also appeared in Sunehre Din and Alpha Bravo Charlie ), Pakistani TV series produced by ISPR |
2005 | Brigadier Naushad Kiani | Punjab Regt. | Later Maj. Gen. |
2007 | Brigadier Tariq Ghafoor | 20 FF & 11 FF Regt. | Later Maj. Gen. |
2008 | Brigadier Ihsan ul Haq | 25 FF Regt. | Later Maj. Gen. |
2015 | Brigadier Khurram Sarfaraz | 27 Baluch Regt. | Now Maj. Gen. |
2016 | Brigadier Amir Majeed | 29 AK Regt. | Now Maj. Gen. |
2017 | Brigadier Amer Ahsan Nawaz | 3 Baluch Regt. | Now Lt Gen. |
2018 | Brigadier Amer Amin | 19 FF Regt. | Now Maj. Gen. |
2019 | Brigadier Naseem Anwar | 19 FF Regt. | Now Maj. Gen. |
2021 | Brigadier Azhar Yasin | 23 Sind Regt. | Now Maj. Gen. |
2022 | Brigadier Muhammad Arsalan Tariq Ali | 6 Punjab Regt. | |
2024 | Brigadier Shahzad Ali Arshad | 39 AK Regt. | Fell unconscious during ceremony |
2024 | Brigadier Irfan Ali Ahmed | 12 Baloch Regt. | Took command in place of Brig Shahzad |
Foreign dignitaries have also been invited to Pakistan Day Parades on a regular basis. From 1964 to 2024, the following foreign dignitaries have attended the parade:
Along with foreign guests, many foreign contingents have also participated in Pakistan Day Parades regularly since its inception in 1956. Most recently, the contingents of Chinese People's Liberation Army and Azerbaijan Army have participated in the parade. Following is a list of foreign contingents that have participated in the parades over the years:
The Pakistan Armed Forces are the military forces of Pakistan. It is the world's sixth-largest military measured by active military personnel and consist of three formally uniformed services—the Army, Navy, and the Air Force, which are backed by several paramilitary forces such as the National Guard and the Civil Armed Forces. A critical component to the armed forces' structure is the Strategic Plans Division Force, which is responsible for the maintenance and safeguarding of Pakistan's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile and assets. The President of Pakistan is the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces and the chain of command is organized under the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) alongside the respective Chiefs of staffs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. All branches are systemically coordinated during joint operations and missions under the Joint Staff Headquarters (JSHQ).
West Pakistan was the western province of Pakistan, one of the two provincial exclaves created under the One Unit Scheme in 1955 in Pakistan. It was created to ensure population-based equality with its eastern counter-part and it was dissolved to once again form former provinces for the General Elections in 1970 under the 1970 Legal Framework Order.
Rawalpindi is a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is the fourth most populous city in Pakistan and third most populous in Punjab according to 2017 Census. It is located near the Soan River. Rawalpindi is situated close to Pakistan's capital Islamabad, and the two are jointly known as the "twin cities" because of the social and economic links between them.
Benazir Bhutto International Airport is an airport which formerly served the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area. It was the second-largest airport by air traffic in Pakistan, until 12 May 2021 when it was replaced by the new Islamabad International Airport. Also known as Chaklala Airbase, it was renamed after the late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto (1953–2007) in June 2008. The airport handled 4,767,860 passengers in 2015–16, compared to 3,610,566 in 2010–11.
Murree is a mountain resort city, located in the Galyat region of the Pir Panjal Range, within the Murree District of Punjab, Pakistan. It forms the outskirts of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area, and is about 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Islamabad. It has average altitude of 2,291 metres (7,516 ft). The British built this town during their rule to escape the scorching heat in the plains of Punjab during the summer.
Malik Nur Khan Awan was a Pakistan Air Force Officer, politician and statesman who served as sixth commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Air Force from 1965 to 1969. He later served as the sixth governor of West Pakistan from 1969 to 1970.
Gujar Khan is a city in Rawalpindi District, Punjab, Pakistan. It is also the headquarters of Gujar Khan Tehsil, the largest tehsil of Punjab by land area.
Air Marshal Muhammad Asghar Khan (Retd.), was a Pakistani politician and an autobiographer, later a dissident serving the cause of pacifism, peace, and human rights.
Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali MirNI(M), HI(M), SI(M), SBt was an influential statesman and a four-star air force general who served as the Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), appointed on 20 November 2000 until his accidental death in a plane crash on 20 February 2003.
Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Mohammad Anwar ShamimNI(M) HI(M) SJ SI(M) OI LoM ; was a senior air officer of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and was the Chief of Air Staff, appointed to the post in 1978 until retiring in 1985.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) (Urdu: محکمہ موسمیات پاکستان, also known as Pakistan Met Office), is an autonomous and independent institution tasked with providing weather forecasts and public warnings concerning weather for protection, safety and general information.
Pakistan Day or Pakistan Resolution Day, also Republic Day, is a national holiday in Pakistan primarily commemorating the adoption of the first Constitution of Pakistan during the transition of the Dominion of Pakistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 23 March 1956 making Pakistan the world's first Islamic republic. The day also celebrates the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the Muslim League at the Minar-e-Pakistan which called for the creation of an independent sovereign state derived from the provinces with Muslim majorities located in the North-West and East of British India on 23 March 1940.
Chaklala is a major suburban town of Rawalpindi in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
The Delhi Republic Day parade is the largest and most important of the parades marking the Republic Day celebrations in India. The parade takes place every year on 26 January at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. It is the main attraction of India's Republic Day celebrations, which last for three days. The first parade was held in 1950, and it has been held every year since. The cultural pageant is a symbol of a diverse but united India.
Women in the Pakistan Armed Forces are the female officers who serve in the Pakistan Armed Forces. Women have been taking part in Pakistani military since 1947, after the establishment of Pakistan. In 2006, the first women fighter pilot batch joined the combat aerial mission command of PAF. The Pakistan Navy prohibits women from serving in the combat branch. Rather, they are appointed and serve in operations involving military logistics, staff and senior administrative offices, particularly in the regional and central headquarters. There was a rise in the number of women applying for the combat branch of PAF in 2013.
After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Pakistan and the ISI were believed by India to be directly responsible for the attacks, leading to strained relations between the two countries for a period of time. An Anti-Pakistani sentiment also rose in India, causing many, including the United States to call for probes into it.
Military exercises are conducted by the Pakistan Armed Forces to increase combat readiness, and to identify problems in logistics, training, and current military doctrine. They also test the ability of units to work together. Lastly, they act as a visible expression of military might, which acts as a deterrent to potential enemy action. An important component of each exercise is the after-action assessment. Since 1989 the four branches services have increasingly begun coordinated exercises.
The Moscow Victory Day Parade refers to the annual military parade of the Russian Armed Forces on Moscow's Red Square on May 9 during the Victory Day celebrations. The most important parade of those being held on May 9 is the one held on Moscow's Red Square, with the President of Russia as the guest of honor and keynote speaker in virtue of his constitutional mandate as Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces. The parade is a commemoration of the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Red Army, marking the end of the Eastern Front of World War II, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War.
The National Day Parade, officially the National Day of the People's Republic of China Parade, is a civil-military parade event held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, on the National Day of the People's Republic of China on 1 October. It is organized by the People's Liberation Army, the People's Armed Police and the Militia, as well as civilian groups of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It has been held every decade since 1959, annually from 1950 to 1959, and has been broadcast live on China Central Television since 1984.
Major General Bilal Omer KhanHI(M) SBt known affectionately as Billy was a two-star rank general in the Pakistan Army who died in the December 2009 Rawalpindi attack along with 39 others. He was posthumously awarded the Sitara-e-Basalat on Pakistan Day 2010. His cousin is the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan. He held the positions of Director General Armoured Corps (Pakistan), Director General Plans and Operations at Joint Staff Headquarters (Pakistan), commander 11th Infantry Division (Pakistan), commander 10th Infantry Division, and commander 111th Infantry Brigade (Pakistan).