National day parade: Pak showcases its growing military might

After a 7-year hiatus, Pakistan Monday showcased its growing military might, including tactical nuclear missiles and fighter jets, at a joint tri-service parade to celebrate the National Day in a symbolic show of strength in the war against the Taliban.

The Pakistan Day parade -- marked to commemorate the Muslim League's Resolution on March 23, 1940, demanding a separate nation for Muslims -- was held amid tight security, with cellular phone networks being blocked as a precaution to thwart attacks from militants.

The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals.

The event started with joint parade of three services, paramilitary troops and police. It also featured cultural events, display of weapons and aerial show by the jets.

President Mamnoon Hussain, who is head of the state and supreme commander of armed forces, took the salute of the parade and paid tribute to those who had lost their lives in the Taliban attack on Army Public School on December 16, 2014.

The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the services chiefs, ministers, diplomats and people.

Both modern and more traditional elements of military arsenal were put on display, from nuclear-capable missiles and the new home-made armed Buraq drone to a camel-mounted musical band, during the parade.

Buraq drone armed with Burq guided missile system flew over the venue of parade as symbol of Pakistan's prowess in the field of latest arm technology. The successful experiment of the drone was carried out recently, making Pakistan one of the a few countries having this technology.

Several missiles including Nasr, Shaheen, Ghauri, Babur and Ghaznavi were paraded, most of which are capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

Most of the weapons system, including Al-Zarar, Al-Khalid tanks, armoured vehicles, missiles have been produced indigenously.

A squadron JF-17 Thunder aircraft built locally was also part of the parade which for the first time featured a contingent of woman army officer.

The army's Strategic Command Force, responsible for the safety of missiles, also took part in the parade.

The last parade was held on March 23, 2008, reviewed by General Pervez Musharraf as a civilian president, but was discontinued owing to security concerns.

Image: Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain inspects the troops during Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad. Photograph: Faisal Mahmood/Reuters