“Youm-e-Takbeer” will be celebrated with great national fervor across the country on May 28 to pay rich tributes to the nuclear scientists, technicians and other staffer who rendered their services to make Pakistan the first Islamic nuclear power. The main function to mark this august occasion would be organized at the place of Chaghi, where Pakistan conducted nuclear tests on May 28, 1998 at 3.16 pm rejecting immense of external pressure.

Functions will also be held across the country to mark this historic occasion. Pakistan Muslim League (N) Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will participate in this function for the first time after returning to Pakistan. During the functions a remarkable salute will also be paid to the meritorious services to the founder of Pakistani nuclear programme and renowned nuclear scientist, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and government will be stressed to release him immediately.

ISLAMABAD: The nation celebrated the Pakistan Day with great fervor and zeal Sunday. The day dawned with 31 gun salute in the federal capital and 21 gun salute in the provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered in all mosques of the country for the solidarity and well being of Pakistan.

Main feature of the day was Armed Forces Parade which was held at Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad. President Pervez Musharraf took the salute, reviewed the parade and addressed it eulogizing the services of the Armed Forces in the defence of the country, natural calamities and nation building projects. Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro, Defence Minister Salim Abbas Jilani, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Tariq Majeed and services chiefs flanked the president on the saluting dais.

The parade was witnessed by thousands of people representing all walks of life. Overflowing enclosures manifested the love, affection and faith people repose in their brave and courageous Armed Forces. On arrival at the parade venue, President Pervez Musharraf was received by the prime minister. Smartly turned out contingents, drawn from three services, presented guard of honour. It was followed by a scintillating fly-past of the PAF combat aircrafts led by Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed. JF-17 thunder fighter aircraft, the manifestation of the Pak-China friendship also participated in the fly-past and maneuvered in front of the dais to the thunderous applause of the audience.

After the president’s address, Parade Commander Brig Ehsan ul Haq, drove past the saluting dais leading the contingents of the three services bearing national standards. Battalions of the Punjab, Baloch, Sindh, contingents of Pakistan Navy, PAF, Armed Forces Nursing Services, Pakistan Rangers Punjab, Police (Islamabad), Special Service Group marched past the saluting dais.
Contingent of the President’s Body Guard, Armoured Corps, Mechanized Infantry, Heavy Anti Tank Regiment, Artillery, Air Defence, Engineers, Signals and Army Strategic Force Command which included Hatf-II (Abdali), Hatf-III (Ghaznavi), Hatf-IV (Shaheen-1), Hatf-V(Ghauri), Hatf-VI (Shaheen-6) , Babar Cruise Missile and Raad Missile drove past the dais. After the mechanized Columns the Floats from four provinces, Azad Kashmir, Northern Areas, Science and Technology drove past the dias

Helicopters of the Army Aviation which included Cobra (Gunship helicopters), Ecurecuil, Bell-412, MI-17 and Puma flew past the dais. Aerobatics by PAF Sherdil team were also another attraction of the parade. The parade was rounded off with a scintillating and heart warming display of free fall from a height of 10,000 feet by the para troopers of Special Service Group of Army, Navy and PAF. Maj Gen Tahir Mahmood, General Officer Commanding Special Service Group led the free fall jumps. People stood on their seats to witness the thrilling display of the parachuting as all participants landed with professional excellence near the saluting dais. President Pervez Musharraf came down the dais, met the paratroopers and appreciated their skill and professional acumen in the field of parachuting and free-fall demonstration.

Flag hoisting ceremony held to mark Pakistan Day
BEIJING: A flag hoisting ceremony was held to mark the Pakistan Day with great zeal and fervour here at the Pakistan Embassy on Sunday. The ceremony started with the recitation of holy Quran after which Ambassador of Pakistan to China Salman Bashir performed the flag hoisting.

On the occasion a group of students of Pakistan Embassy College sang national anthem and national songs and got repeated applauses from the guests. The ambassador, on the occasion read out the messages of president and prime minister of Pakistan.

Officials of the Pakistan Embassy, their families, Pakistani community living in Beijing, Chinese students studying in Urdu Department of Peking University, and students of Capital Medical University also participated in large number. The ambassador on the occasion also congratulated the guests.

Pakistan Day celebrated in IHK
SRINAGAR: Pakistan Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and fervor in the Indian held Kashmir on Sunday. People hoisted Pakistan flag on their roof tops.

Special prayers for Pakistan’s solidarity and success of the freedom movement of the Kashmiris from illegal Indian occupation were offered at mosques. Meanwhile the security remained tightened throughout the Indian held Kashmir on Sunday.

Musharraf receives greetings from Turkish President
ISLAMABAD: President of Turkey Abdullah Gul has greeted President Musharraf on the occasion of Pakistan Day being celebrated on March 23. President Abdullah Gul in his message to President Musharraf said, “Turkey, which is determined to further improve the historical bonds of fraternity and sense of solidarity between the people of Pakistan and Turkey, and pass them on to the younger generations, will continue to stand by Pakistan in every field, as it has done until today.”

He said, “I would like to renew my best wished for your excellency’s health and happiness and for welfare and prosperity of the people of the friendly and brotherly Pakistan.” Concluding his message, the Turkish President said, “I wish that the 68th anniversary of the Lahore Resolution, which laid the foundations of the idea of Pakistan, will be an occasion for Pakistan to strengthen its national unity and integrity.”

ISLAMABAD: Kashmir Solidarity Day will be observed across the country on Tuesday to express solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. On the occasion, seminars and rallies will be organized in the country’s major cities and towns to ‘highlight Kashmiris’ legitimate cause’ besides urging the world community to play its proactive role in seeking a just solution to the dispute that has become potential threat to peace and prosperity of the entire South Asian region.

A one minute silence will be observed on Kashmir Day at 10:00 am to pay homage to the Kashmiri martyrs who have laid their lives during the ongoing struggle. All the government offices, banks, educational institutions and business centres will remain closed in Pakistan and its administered part of Kashmir.

Rallies and processions will be organised in Azad Kashmir and its all district and tehsil headquarters. A human chain will also be formed at Kohala Bridge, 35 kilometres from the capital city Muzaffarabad. The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Islamabad chapter, has also announced to form a human chain at Aabpara to express solidarity with the Kashmiris. “JI Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmed and some Kashmiri leaders will also address the event,” Islamabad JI Amir Syed Bilal. He said the JI had also set up camps across the country in connection with Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Meanwhile, in twin cities Rawalpindi/Islamabad special programmes will be held on the Kashmir Day. A plan to this effect has been given a final shape during a meeting chaired by the district coordination officer Rawalpindi and attended by the officers of civic bodies including the police officials of the city. The DCO has directed the concerned officials to make appropriate security arrangements in this regard.

Besides Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan, the Rawalpindi Arts Council will hold special programmes which include dramas and other features relating to Kashmir. Some schools have also scheduled to conduct programmes on the day and a walk would be organise in the capital city Islamabad, led by eminent politicians of Pakistan besides Kashmiri leadership hailing from both sides of line of control.

Over the last 18 years, the Pakistani nation has been observing the day every year with traditional zeal and fervour to reassure it’s political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of the state. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has thanked government and people of Pakistan for extending moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris in their struggle to seek their basic right.

In an interview, Maulana Abbas Ansari, acting Chairman APHC said the Kashmir Solidarity Day being observed in Pakistan would help to promote the cause of Kashmir.

Thanking the government and the people of Pakistan for observing this day on February 5, he said it would strengthen the cause of Kashmir and highlight the Kashmir dispute all over the world. He urged the Indian government to take this issue seriously and come up positively to resolve it for the sake of peace in South Asia.

He said a meeting of APHC Executive Committee and General Council was held on Saturday and decided to hold a seminar on Kashmir Solidarity Day in Srinagar. Besides others, Professor Abdul Ghani Bhat, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Sheikh Abdul Aziz and Azam Inqilabi would speak on different aspects of Kashmir problem.-SANA