KL Report
SRINAGAR
Celebrating Pakistan Day amid a tight security in Islamabad after a gap of seven years, Pakistan President, Mamnoon Hussain said Pakistan desires a peaceful settlement of all issues with India, including Kashmir.
Addressing the parade President Hussain said that the government will rid Pakistan of terrorism, militancy, ethnicity and sectarianism to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan. “Pakistan wants peaceful relations with all countries particularly the neighbours,” he said. “Pakistan desires a peaceful settlement of all issues with India, including Kashmir.”
“The issue of Kashmir can only be resolved according to the United Nations resolutions and as per aspirations of the Kashmiri people that can only guarantee the regional peace and security,” he said.
The Pakistan Day is celebrated on March 23 every year to mark adoption of a resolution that demanded the establishment of a separate homeland for the Muslims of British India on the same day in1940. The resolution was passed in the meeting of All-India Muslim League in the city of Lahore.
The military parade could not be held since 2008 in view of security threats; however, the incumbent Army Chief General Raheel Sharif decided to hold the parade.
Smartly turned out contingents of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Paramilitary Troops, Police, Frontier Corps and Special Services Group (Commandos) took part in the parade. Women army officers also participated in the parade for the first time.
“I have written to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif, conveying my greetings on the National Day of Pakistan,” Indian PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “It is my firm conviction that all outstanding issues can be resolved through bilateral dialogue in an atmosphere free from terror and violence.”
Meanwhile Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said that his country is keen to settle all issues with India, including the disputed issue of Jammu and Kashmir through dialogue, and underlined the importance of both countries working together for both peace and development.
