Saudi, China to join Pakistan Day military parade on March 23
ISLAMABAD, March 23 A contingent of the guard of honor of the three services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) took part in a grand military parade held in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Thursday morning to mark the country's Republic Day.
In his speech to the parade, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain thanked China for sending its soldiers for thePakistan Day parade and described it as an historic opportunity.
He said the Chinese army contingent had never participated in such events earlier in Pakistan.
The president also talked about the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, saying the project is a best example of China-Pakistan economic partnership.
The 90-member contingent of the PLA has come to Pakistan to feature in the parade on the invitation of the Pakistani side.
Earlier on a rehearsal day of the parade, Major General Li Jianbo, head of the Chinese contingent, told media "We have come here to convey a message of friendship to Pakistan on behalf of the Chinese people and the Chinese army. We sincerely hope that Pakistan will progress day by day and its army will be stronger and stronger."
Saudi Special Force's contingents and Turkish Janissary Military Band also participated in the parade.
Pakistan Day, or Republic Day, is a national holiday in Pakistan to commemorate March 23, 1940 when a resolution was passed in Lahore, now Pakistan's eastern city, to demand a separate homeland for the Muslims of the British Indian Empire.
Seven years after the resolution was passed, the British Indian Empire was divided into two states, India and Pakistan.
The Pakistan Army on Friday said it was preparing for March 23 -- Pakistan Day parade -- to display its military might in Islamabad.
The day marks the passing of the Lahore Resolution, when a separate nation for the Muslims of British Indian Empire was demanded on March 23, 1940 in Lahore.
"Preparations for March 23 Parade are in full swing at Shakarparian parade ground Islamabad," said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), media wing of the Pakistan army.
"Special feature of the parade this year will be participation of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) China's Tri Services and Saudi Special Force's contingents and Turkish Jannisary Military band (Mehteran)".
The ISPR said Chief of South African National Defence Force General Solly Zacharia will also witness the parade among other dignitaries.
Pakistani armed forces display nuclear-capable weapons, tanks, jets, drones and other weapons systems.
