Observing the 76th Pakistan Day celebrations on Wednesday, Islamabad has pledged to eliminate terrorism menace and achieve sustainable economic growth and greater political stability.
Pakistan Day marks the historic event in 1940 when the Lahore Resolution was passed demanding a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent.
The celebrations kicked off with a military parade at the Parade Ground near the landmark Shakarparian hills in Islamabad.
Personnel from all three services - the Army, Navy and Air Force - participated in the parade and exhibited their military might.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah besides other senior officials witnessed the parade.
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Speaking on the occasion, President Hussain lauded the sacrifices of Pakistan Army and said that 'Operation Zarb-i-Azb', the anti-terror operation started after the Karachi airport attack, would not be suspended till last terrorist was not eliminated from the country's soil.
Reiterating Pakistan's stand on nuclear stockpile, he said that it was for the country's safety.
"We are a peaceful nation and have never participated in any arms race," Dawn quoted him as saying.
President Hussain also highlighted that Kashmir is the jugular vein for Pakistan.
"Kashmir is our jugular vein and we will continue our moral, political and diplomatic support for our Kashmiri brethren," he said.
Meanwhile, stringent security measures have been taken in view of the occasion with adequate police personnel being deployed to avoid any untoward incident.
Cellphone services will remain suspended from 5 am to 3 pm in the twin cities.
