The nation celebrates Pakistan Day on Saturday with a commitment to ensure progress, prosperity and a strong defence of the country.
The day is being observed to commemorate the passage of Lahore Resolution on this day in 1940, under which the Muslims of the Sub-continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.
The Day will dawn with thirty-one-gun salute in the federal capital and twenty-one-gun salute in provincial and state capitals.
Special prayers will be offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country. National flag will be hoisted on major government buildings.
The main feature of the day will be the grand military parade in Islamabad where contingents of the three armed forces and the security forces will conduct march past while jet fighter will present aerobatic maneuvers. The march of different floats depicting various aspects of the culture of different provinces is also part of the parade.
This year, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad will be the guest of honor in the parade. President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, senior officers and the three services chiefs will also witness the parade.
An investiture ceremony will also be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in the evening where the President will confer civil awards on individuals demonstrating feats in different fields of science and arts.
One hundred and seventy-one personalities, including some foreigners, have been selected for this year’s awards.
Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television will broadcast special programmes highlighting the struggle of the fore fathers of Pakistan and importance of the day.
Different organizations and societies have also arranged functions and ceremonies to commemorate the day and inculcate a spirit for the progress, prosperity and defense of the country.