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Pakistani president vows to eliminate terrorism in Republic Day speech

Xinhua, March 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain vowed on Wednesday to rid his country of terrorism in his speech at the military parade in Islamabad on the Republic Day.

The Pakistan Day is celebrated on March 23 every year to mark the passage of a resolution that called for the establishment of a separate homeland for the Muslims of British India in 1940. The resolution was adopted in the meeting of All-India Muslim League in Lahore, now the capital of eastern Punjab province.

The 76th Pakistan Day is being celebrated with traditional enthusiasm across the country and the military parade by the three services at the Shakarparian hills is the main feature of the day. Thousands of people witnessed the parade under security measures.

Mobile phone service was also temporarily suspended in Islamabad over security concerns as officials believe terrorists use mobile phone for activities on such occasions.

"Terrorism and extremism have emerged as a new enemy who are bent upon creating hurdles in the way of development,"President Hussain told the military parade.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, services chiefs, ministers, diplomats, members of the parliament and thousands of people witnessed the parade.

"The armed forces and the nation have rendered unprecedented sacrifices to defeat terrorism and make Pakistan a peaceful country,"the Pakistani president said in his address aired live on the state television.

He referred to the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan tribal region against the armed groups and said the operation codenamed"Zarb-e-Azb"is now in its final phase.

"The military operation in North Waziristan against terrorism will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated. I am hopeful that the area will completely be cleared of terrorist very soon,"President Hussain said.

He paid homage to security personnel who have laid lives in fight against terrorism in the country and also mentioned Pakistani military's role in the UN peacekeeping in several conflict-stricken countries.

In reference to India, he said Pakistan needs peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute and the country does not want arms race in the region.

Foot columns of Army, Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Frontier Corps, Northern Light Infantry, Islamabad Police, tri-services Lady officers, tri-services Armed Forces Nursing Service, Girls Guide, Boys Scouts, Special Service Group from three Services, mechanized columns of Armoured Corps, Artillery, Army Air Defence, Signals, Engineers, Army Strategic Force Command, Camel Band and President's Body Guard took part in the parade.

Fighter aircraft of PAF, aircraft of Pakistan Navy and helicopters of Army Aviation also presented flypast. Aerobatics of PAF Sherdil team and JF-17 thunder and F-16 were also part of the parade. Enditem