The Pakistan Day Parade, also known as the National Day Joint Services Parade, is an annual event held at Shakarparian in Islamabad to commemorate the Pakistan Day, marking the anniversary of the 1940 Lahore Resolution. The parade is presided over by the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, alongside the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Foreign dignitaries often attend as special guests. The event is organised by Joint Staff Headquarters and showcases the country's military strength and national unity.
Details The Pakistan Day Parade features various marching contingents from the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, which perform a ceremonial march-past and present salute to the President of Pakistan. The event also includes an air show by the Pakistan Air Force, along with exhibitions of modern military equipment such as tanks, missiles, rockets, radar systems and other advanced weaponry. In addition, floats representing the culture and history of Pakistan are also presented. The Tri-Services Military Band also performs throughout the ceremony.
The parade has been held at various venues across the country. These include the Race Course Grounds in Rawalpindi, Constitution Avenue, Jinnah Avenue and Shakarparian Parade Ground, Islamabad. In 2015, the parade venue shifted to Shakarparian Parade Ground in Islamabad, where the Pakistan Day Parades take place to this day.
Parade The ceremony begins with the entrance of the marching contingents, belonging to various regiments of Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, in the parade ground. After that, the flag-bearing contingent, consisting of 24 National Flags of Pakistan, enters the venue. As the flag-bearing contingent enters the venue, all of the other marching contingents salute to the National Flag by lowering their Regimental Colours.
After all of the marching contingents take their place, the special guests of the ceremony enter the venue. The President of Pakistan enters last along with the Presidential Body Guard. Then, the President of Pakistan is presented Presidential Salute by the parade and the National Anthem of Pakistan is played by the band.
Shortly after that, verses from the Holy Quran are recited. The President then inspects the marching contingents participating in the parade, followed by an address to the nation.
After that, the march-past begins, the marching contingents present salute to the President as they march past the saluting dais. Following the march-past, modern military equipment such as tanks, missiles, rockets, helicopters, radar systems etc. are showcased. The Pakistan Air Force then presents an air show, showcasing fighter jets and other equipment.
The Sherdils from the Pakistan Air Force Academy at Risalpur take part in the ceremony annually, performing formation aerobatics. On the planes used by the group, the Hongdu JL-8, has been showcased at the parade since 1994. Other aircraft such as the CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder have also been unveiled at the parade.JF-17 Thunder main focus of attention at Pak Day fly-past . Pak Tribune, 24 March 2007.
At the end of the ceremony, various floats showcasing the culture and history of Pakistan are presented.
History
1956 - 1970 The first Republic Day parade, as it was then called, was held on 23 March 1956 to mark the day when Pakistan became a republic on the same day. The parade was held in Karachi where newly appointed President of Pakistan Iskander Ali Mirza took salute. Simultaneously the parades were held in other major cities and military garrisons. Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army General Ayub Khan took salute in Rawalpindi. Local Governors or military commanders took salute in Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Jhelum.
From 1957 to 1960, the central parade was held in Karachi. In 1961, the Republic Day was renamed to Pakistan Day and the parade was held in Dhaka for the first time.
In 1963, for the first and only time the central parade was held in Lahore, capital of West Pakistan. Nawab of Kalabagh took salute. At a similar event in Dhaka, Governor EP Abdul Munim Khan took salute. From 1964 onwards, the parade was held in Rawalpindi, until 1990 when it was moved to Islamabad.
In 1966, the parade had historic significance since it was held after the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War. Brig Zafar Ali Khan led 102 Brigade during the Chamb offensive and was awarded Hilal-i-Jurrat. All contingents were led by gallantry award winners.
The parade was cancelled in 1969 due to the political situation in the country.
1973 - 1989 The 1971 and 1972 parade were cancelled due to the political situation in the country. In 1973, the first Pakistan Day Parade after the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War was held. Special Service Group (SSG) participated for the first time in the parade.
In 1976, parade commander Brig. Saadullah was recommended for the award of Nishan-i-Haider for showing valour during the 1971 war and was awarded Hilal-i-Jurrat. The new camouflage smock was worn by the entire parade.
In 1980, cultural and Industrial floats were included in the parade for the first time. Over two weeks prior to the parade, a conspiracy to assassinate President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq by Major General Tajammul Hussain Malik during the ceremony was foiled."'Coup crushed' in Pakistan", Vancouver Sun, March 11, 1980, p1
1990 - 2008 In 1990, Pakistan Day Parade was moved to Islamabad. In 1994, the parade was cancelled due to inclement weather. In 1997, the OIC Head of States attended the parade.
The 2002, 2003 and 2004 parades were cancelled due to regional situation, including the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the sudden spike in terrorism in Pakistan. In 2007, the parade was held at Jinnah Sports Complex in Islamabad.
In 2008, the parade was suspended for an extended period of time due to the growing terrorism in the country and fears that an attack on the parade was imminent.
2015 - Present
After a 7-year break, the Pakistan Day Parade was reconstituted in 2015 on the 75th anniversary of the Pakistan Resolution. This decision was made in part to the anniversary's significance as well as the success of Operation Zarb-e-Azb by the Pakistan Army.In the face of terror: Pakistan shows off military prowess As a precaution however, phone networks were blocked to thwart militants mobile cellular signals that could trigger bombs. In 2015, the parade venue shifted to Shakarparian Parade Ground in Islamabad, where the Pakistan Day Parades take place to this day.The parade was held annually without gap from 2015 to 2019 until it was cancelled in 2020 due to the outbreak of the coronavirus in Pakistan, with the cancellation being an attempt to mitigate the fall out from the pandemic. The 2021 parade was postponed due to "inclement weather and rain" and was rescheduled to March 25.
In 2022, an historic parade was held which was attended by OIC Foreign Ministers. Many foreign contingents of countries such as Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Turkey and Uzbekistan also took part in the parade.
In early March 2023, it was announced that the 2023 Pakistan Day Parade will be held in a limited scale at Aiwan-e-Sadar due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country. The parade was then postponed to March 25 due to "inclement weather", but it was cancelled the next day.
In 2024, a full-scale parade was held which also featured contingents of the Azerbaijani and Chinese militaries. In 2025, the parade was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad. Due to Ramadan, the parade was held on a limited scale.
The 2026 parade was cancelled on March 17 due to the ongoing Gulf oil crisis caused by the 2026 Iran War and the austerity measures announced by the Government of Pakistan. On May 7, DG ISPR announced that a large-scale military parade will take place on August 14, 2026. Accidents and incidents
During the rehearsals for the planned parade on 23 March 2020, a Pakistani Air Force Wing Commander flying in an F-16 jet was killed when it crashed in a wooded area. On March 13, 2020, A missing man formation would later be flown by the PAF on 13 March to honor the pilot.
PAF lost an aircraft during rehearsals in 1975 while the parade was later cancelled due to inclement weather on the morning of 23 March 1975.
On March 23 1987, a Mirage aircraft crashed on approach to the parade ground. Flight Lieutenant Saeed Iqbal was killed on impact.
Parade commanders The following officers from the army have led the joint services parade:
Year Officer Unit Notes 1958 Brigadier Abdul Qayyum Sher 16 Baluch Regiment President Iskander Mirza took salute. Parade commander Brig AQ Sher was Comd 51 Brigade. In 1965 he commanded 22 Brigade and was awarded Hilal-e-Jurrat. 1960 Colonel SM Mustafa Khan 5 Horse & Guides Cavalry Brig SM Mustafa was Station Commander Rawalpindi. C-in-C Gen Musa took salute. (At Rawalpindi. The central parade was held at Karachi, parade commander is not known. 1961 Colonel SM Mustafa Khan 5 Horse & Guides Cavalry Brig SM Mustafa was Station Commander Rawalpindi. Brigadier Ata Muhammad took salute. The central parade was held at Dhaka where President Ayub took salute, parade commander is not known. General Musa Khan took salute at a parade in Kharian, Brigadier RG Hyder was parade commander) 1963 Brigadier Sadiqullah Khan 13th Frontier Force Rifles For the first and only time the central parade was held at Lahore, capital of West Pakistan. However, President was unable to attend due to ill health. Nawab of Kalabagh took salute. At similar event at Dacca, Governor EP Abdul Munim Khan took salute 1964 Brigadier Azmat Hayat Commander 10 Bde Father of Yawar Hayat (PTV). Led 10 Brigade during Chammb offensive. Fly Past was led by Air Marshal Asghar Khan in a B-57 light bomber 1965 Brigadier Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi 2 Punjab and 5 Punjab Regt. Later Lt. Gen. 1966 Brigadier Zafar Ali Khan, HJ Commander 102 Bde Historic parade post 1965 War. Brig Zafar Ali Khan led 102 Bde during Chammb offensive and was awarded Hilal-i-Jurrat. All contingents were led by gallantry award winners.
Prior to the parade the President distributed 153 gallantry awards to 152 recipients (two awards for Sarfaraz Rafiqui), including 35 posthumous awards. Included 1 x NH, 13 x HJ, 135x SJ and 2 x SBt. 1967 Brigadier Agha Ali Ibrahim Akram 1 FF Regt. Later Lt. Gen. 1970 Brigadier Iqbal Muhammad Khan 1973 Brigadier Akram Hussain Syed 5 H, 15 L, 22 C, 26 C Special Service Group participated for the first time. Also for the first time, the Baluch Regiment contingent was dressed in the new camouflage smock. 1976 Brigadier Saadullah Khan, HJ 14 Punjab Regt. Brig. Saadullah was recommended for the award of Nishan-i-Haider for valour during 1971 war and was awarded HJ. The new camouflage smock was worn by the entire parade. 1978 Brigadier Mustafa Anwar Hussain 2FF, 9FF & 11FF Regt. Later Maj. Gen. 1979 Brigadier Khawaja Rahat Latif 1 FF Regt. Later Maj. Gen. 1980 Brigadier Zafar Hayat FF Regt. Cultural and Industrial floats were included in the parade for the first time. 1982 Brigadier Rehmdil Bhatti FF Regt. Later Lt. Gen. 1983 Brigadier Nasir Mehmood 1 Punjab Regt. 1985 Brigadier Sultan Mehmood Baluch Regt. 1987 Brigadier Afzal Janjua, SJ 7 Punjab Regt. Later Lt. Gen. 1989 Brigadier Yasub Dogar 2 FF Regt. (Guides) 1990 Brigadier Jamshed Gulzar 22 Baluch Regt. Later Lt. Gen.