It would be a “mistake” for India to view Pakistan with the eye of pre-partition and its desire for peace should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness, President ArifAlvi said on Saturday as Islamabad displayed its military might on the National Day. Alvi was addressing the annual Pakistan Day Parade here to commemorate the resolution passed by the All-India Muslim League on the day in 1940 in Lahore demanding a separate country for Muslims.
The National Day featured a joint parade by the army, airforce and navy, display of military hardware, along with open and veiledanti-India statements.
“It was the duty and responsibility of Pakistan torespond to the Indian aggression… We responded with better strategy,”Alvi said, apparently referring to the downing of an Indian Air Force jet.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after asuicide bomber killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama districtin February 14.
India launched an airstrike in Balakot, Pakistan. The nextday, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat andcaptured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1.
Alvi said India’s actions jeopardised peace in the region.
“It would a mistake on part of India to view Pakistanwith the eye of pre-partition. Doing so would be very dangerous for theregion’s stability.
“India will have to accept Pakistan as a reality, andit must come to the conclusion that dialogue is the only way to resolveissues,” Alvi said at the ceremony where Malaysian Prime Minister MahathirMohamad was the guest of honour.
He said Pakistan wants peaceful co-existence but its”desire for peace should not be misconstrued as weakness”.
“We are a peaceful nation, but are not oblivious to ourdefence, and the same has been proved in the recent demonstration of Pakistan’sdefence capability,” he said, adding that Pakistan is a responsiblenuclear state and respects integrity and sovereignty of other states.
Alvi said the country is safe and moving on the path ofprogress and development after effectively combating the menace of terrorism.
The president also inspected the parade before his address.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak,Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General ZubairMehmood Hayat, armychief General QamarJavedBajwa, naval chief Admiral Zafar MehmoodAbbasi andChief of Air Staff Mujahid Anwar Khan attended the ceremony.
According to official sources in New Delhi, Prime MinisterNarendraModi sent a letter to Khan, greeting people of Pakistan on the eve ofits National Day and highlighting the importance of a terror-free South Asia.
Modi, in his message, said it was time for the people of thesub-continent to work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive andprosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence, they said.
Contingents, paratroopers and fighter jets from Azerbaijan,Saudi Arabia, Turkey, China, Bahrain and Sri Lanka also took part in theparade.
Shahper and Buraq drones were also displayed in the paradealong with different missile systems including Nasr, Babur, Shaheen-I, Ghauri,Shaheen-III among others, and defence systems as well as tanks.
The day dawned with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and21-gun salute in provincial capitals.
Special prayers were also offered in mosques after morningprayers for the country’s progress and prosperity.
Pakistan Air Force troops took over guard duty at themausoleum of Allama Iqbal where Air Commodore Rizwan Malik was the chief guest.
The Pakistan Day military parade was held at Parade Groundnear the Shakarparian hills in Islamabad to mark the day. The annual parade wasattended by civil and military leadership as well as foreign dignitaries.
Once the guests had assembled on stage, a round ofhandshakes ensued, following which the national anthem of Pakistan was played.
After recitation of the Holy Quran, Brigadier Naseem Anwarformally requested President Alvi to observe the parade from a jeep.
Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan led a fly-past as asalute to the president. Following the Air Chief, a formation of four JF-17Thunder fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force demonstrated its aerial prowess.They were followed by similar formations of Mirage, F-7PG and other fighteraircraft.
At the tail end of the parade, a Pakistan Rangers bandplayed national songs on bagpipes while riding camels in unison.
Furthermore, the parade showcased local cultures of the fourprovinces. Cultural delegates and floats from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, GilgitBaltistan and Kashmir were featured during theceremony.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and President DrArifAlvi, in separate messages on Pakistan Day, stressed the “need to achieve the goal of true Islamic welfare state as envisaged by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.” Agencies