Observed by Pakistan | Date 23 March | |
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Official name Urdu: یوم پاکستان
lit. Yaum-e-Pakistan Significance Commemoration of Pakistan Resolution and Constitution Celebrations Full Joint Inter-Services military parade, conferring of national decorations Observances Pakistan (Diplomatic missions of Pakistan in other countries) | ||
Pakistan Day (Urdu: یوم پاکستان, lit. Yaum-e-Pakistan) or Pakistan Resolution Day, also Republic Day, is a national holiday in Pakistan to commemorate the Lahore Resolution of 23rd March 1940 and 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. Republic Day parade by the armed forces is a common celebration for the event.
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The day is celebrated in the memory to commemorate the event when the Muslim League drafted the political resolution at the Minar-e-Pakistan (lit. Pakistan Tower) that called for establishing an independent federation comprising provinces with Muslim majority located in north-western and north-eastern region of British controlled territories in India (excluding autonomous princely States) on 23 March 1940. Since then, the day is celebrated annually at the national level as a public holiday and the joint inter-services commonly holds a military parade for the celebration of the event.
History
The Muslim League held its annual session at Minto Park in Lahore, Punjab, that lasted from 22 March till 24 March 1940. During this event, the Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and other Founding Fathers narrated the events regarding the differences between Hindus and Muslims, and moved the historical resolution that cemented the formation of a nation-state in South Asia as Pakistan, even though it did not actually mention Pakistan at all.
The resolution was passed on 23 March and had its signatures from the Founding Fathers of Pakistan. It reads as:
[Quoting Resolution:] No constitutional plan would be workable or acceptable to the Muslims unless geographical contiguous units are demarcated into regions which should be so constituted with such territorial readjustments as may be necessary. That the areas in which the Muslims are numerically in majority as in the North-Western and Eastern zones of India should be grouped to constitute independent states in which the constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign.
After achieving independence on 14 August 1947 from British Raj, Pakistan was formed as a constitutional monarchy with George VI as head of state and Muhammad Ali Jinnah as Governor-General of Pakistan. With no constitution in effect, the country was governed based on the modified colonial 1935 Act of Government of India. While Pakistan's Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British Rule, the Republic Day celebrates of coming into force of its constitution.
Works and efforts by Basic Principles Committee drafted the basic outlines of the constitution in 1949. After many deliberations and years of some modifications, the first set of the Constitution of Pakistan was enforced in the country on 23 March 1956. This marked the country's successful transition from Dominion to Islamic Republic. The Governor-General was replaced with President of Pakistan as ceremonial head of state.
Celebrations
Main celebration is held in Islamabad– the capital of Pakistan. The President of Pakistan is usually the Chief Guest; also the attended in public are 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 in all over the country.
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 Muhammad Iqbal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah founder of Pakistan. In very rare times and significance, foreign dignitaries have been invited to attend the military parade. From the timeline of 1956–2000, the following foreign dignitaries who have attended parade are: