Diplomatic World Sweden

A wonderful celebration of Pakistan National Day took place in Stockholm, Sweden, at Musikaliska in Nybroviken.
Musical performances were given by soprano Paulina Pfeiffer and tenor Vincent Hashimi, featuring works by Mozart, Sibelius, and Swedish composer Birger Sjöberg.

Speeches were delivered by a representative from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as well as by the Ambassador of Pakistan to Sweden, H.E. Mr. Bilal Hayee, accompanied by Mrs. Shamyla Bilal.
A traditional Pakistani buffet with desserts was served to the guests.

Pakistan Day (Urdu: یومِ پاکستان, lit. Yaum-e-Pakistan) is a national holiday in Pakistan primarily commemorating the adoption of the first Constitution of Pakistan during the transition of the Dominion of Pakistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 23 March 1956 making Pakistan the world’s first Islamic republic, which remains a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations. The day also celebrates the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the Muslim League at the Minar-e-Pakistan (lit. ’Pakistan Tower’) which called for the creation of an independent sovereign state derived from the provinces with Muslim majorities located in the North-West and East of British India (excluding autonomous princely States) on 23 March 1940.

The day is celebrated annually primarily by Government officials and army staff throughout the country and is a public holiday for civilians. While civilians do not celebrate the public holiday, the Pakistan Armed Forces usually hold a military parade to celebrate both the passing of the Lahore Resolution in 1940 and the Constitution of Pakistan of 1956. It made this resolution as first Islamic Republic.

The main celebration is held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. The President of Pakistan is usually the Chief Guest; also in attendance are the Prime Minister of Pakistan alongside the Cabinet ministers, military chiefs of staff, and chairman joint chiefs.

A full inter-services joint military parade is rehearsed and broadcast live by the news media all over the country. The Pakistan military inter services also gives a glance of its power and capabilities during this parade.

The celebrations regarding the holiday include a full military and civilian parade in the capital, Islamabad. These are presided by the President of Pakistan and are held early in the morning. After the parade, the President confers national awards and medals on the awardees at the Presidency. Wreaths are also laid at the mausoleums of Allama Sir Muhammad Iqbal and Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan. In very rare times and significance, foreign dignitaries have been invited to attend the military parade.

Minar-e-Pakistan, where the Lahore Resolution was passed