On Pakistan Day, a grand military parade was held in Islamabad, where contingents of the three armed forces and other security forces are participating, while the dignitaries participating in the 48th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) including the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) also attended the parade as guests of honour.

The day is observed to commemorate the historic Lahore Resolution that was signed on March 23 in 1940, under which Muslims of the sub-continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.

On Wednesday, the day started with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in provincial capitals, reported Radio Pakistan, while special prayers were offered in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country.

A change of guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal at Lahore.

A colorful Pakistan Day military parade is underway at Parade Avenue in Islamabad today with three wings of the armed forces displaying their professionalism and military prowess.

The mega display is also attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Arif Alvi, the chiefs of the armed forces, federal ministers, officials and foreign ministers of 57 Muslim countries that are members of the OIC.

President addresses ceremony

Addressing the participants of the ceremony, President Dr Arif Alvi said: “We are a responsible atomic country and we wish to be a peaceful country. But we will not sacrifice our independence and security at any cost.”

He warned that every action taken against the country would be “answered as Pakistan has done in the past”. “We have given a number of sacrifices for protecting our independence and confronted various wars, including wars against terrorism as well as internal and external conspiracies against us. But we were able to succeed against all of them.”

The president congratulated the Pakistan Army and Pakistanis for “successes in the wars”.

In his speech, Dr Alvi also highlighted various challenges affecting societies that included Islamophobia, extremism, impatience, increasing population, depriving women of their rights and fake news.

PM Imran, President Alvi, Shehbaz Sharif's messages to nation

In his message on Pakistan Day, the president said: "The day will not be far away when Pakistan becomes an economically strong and prosperous country.

"We need to stand united and collectively work for the unity & socio-economic development of the country to materialize the dream of our forefathers. May Allah be with us all. Ameen!"

Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message to the nation stressed the need to adhere to the principles of unity, faith and discipline given by Quaid-e-Azam and to rededicate ourselves to the development of Pakistan as a truly democratic welfare State on the model of Riyasat-e-Madina.

In his message on Pakistan Day, Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif tweeted: "The historic Pakistan resolution passed on March 23, 1940 put the welfare of Muslims of the sub-continent at the heart of freedom movement. We owe it to our founding fathers to turn Pakistan into a country that delivers prosperity, peace & equality to all citizens."