Nation to celebrate Pakistan Day tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: The nation will celebrate Pakistan Day on Saturday with a commitment to ensure progress, prosperity and a strong defense of the country.

The day will be observed to commemorate the passage of historic Lahore Resolution on this day in 1940, under which Muslims of the sub-continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.

The day will dawn with thirty-one-gun salute in the federal capital and twenty-one-gun salute in provincial capitals.

Special prayers will be offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country.

The National flag will be hoisted on major government buildings.

Pakistan Day Parade: Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi

The main feature of the day will be the grand military parade in Islamabad where contingents of the three armed forces and other security forces will conduct march past while fighter planes will present aerobatic maneuvers.

The march of different floats depicting various aspects of culture of different provinces is also part of the parade.

Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will send a contingent to participate in the Pakistan Day Parade at invitation of the Pakistani Army.

For the unversed, this is not the first time Chinese troops have taken part, having also participated in 2017. Furthermore, military contigents from other nations, including Riyadh, have previously joined parade.

TRAFFIC PLAN

The City Traffic Police (CTP) has released a traffic plan for Pakistan Day’s Parade

As part of the traffic plan, the entry of heavy traffic will not be allowed to enter Rawalpindi city, as the heavy traffic coming from Muzaffarabad to Murree and Islamabad will be stopped at Lower Topa, while the one coming from Abbottabad will be stopped at Barian, and the heavy traffic coming from Murree will be stopped at Satra Meel.

As part of the plan, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) will stop heavy traffic coming from Peshawar at Attock Bridge, Horrow Bridge, Margalla, Taxila, and Chongi No. 26, while traffic coming from Lahore on G.T. Road will be stopped at Jhelum Bridge and Mandra Toll Plaza.

The Rawat T. Chowk traffic will be diverted to Rawalpindi instead of Islamabad. In the traffic plan, the duties of one SP/STO, 10 DSPs, 21 inspectors, 101 traffic wardens, and traffic assistants have been assigned for the Pakistan Day Parade and full-dress rehearsal.

During the parade, Faizabad will be closed to all types of traffic, ensuring a clear path for the parade participants and enhancing overall security measures.