Between its inception and 2008, the parade was held at various venues in the country. These include Constitution Avenue,[1] Jinnah Avenue and the Race Course Grounds in Rawalpindi.[2] Over two weeks prior to the parade in 1980, a conspiracy to assassinate President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq by Major General Tajammul Hussain Malik during the ceremony was foiled.[3] 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.[4][5]
After a 7-year break, it was reconstituted in 2015 on the 75th anniversary.[6] 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.[7][8] As a precaution however, phone networks were blocked to thwart militants mobile cellular signals that could trigger bombs.[9][10]
The parade was cancelled due political situation in the country in 1969 and 1971. In 1972 and 2002 the parade was not held due to military’s deployment on the borders. In 2003 and 2004 the parade was not held once again due to regional situation, including war in Iraq and Afghanistan and sudden spike in terrorism in Pakistan
In 1975 and 1994 the parade was cancelled due to inclement weather.
The parade was cancelled in 2020 due to the outbreak of the coronavirusin Pakistan, with the cancellation being an attempt to mitigate the fall out from the pandemic.[11]
The 2021 parade was postponed due to "inclement weather and rain" and was rescheduled to March 25.[12]
In early March 2023, it was announced that the 2023 parade will be held in a limited scale in Aiwan-e-Sadar due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country.[13] On 23rd of March, the parade was postponed to March 25 due to "inclement weather", but it was cancelled the next day.[14]
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 at Karachi where newly appointed President of Pakistan Iskander Ali Mirza took salute. Simoultaneously 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.
The central parade where the President took salute continued to be held at Karachi till 1960 while C-in-C of the army took salute at Rawalpindi. In 1961, the Republic Day was named Pakistan Day. The central Joint Services parade was held for the first time at Dhaka Race course where President Ayub Khan took salute. In 1963 the central parade was held at Fortress Stadium Lahore.
The central parade has been held at Rawalpindi from 1964 to 1989. The parade was shifted to Islamabad in 1990. The parade is led by a Parade Commander who is an officer from the Pakistan Army holding the rank of a Brigadier, usually a Brigade Commander or a Station Commander.
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.
During the rehearsals for the planned parade on 23 March 2020, a Pakistani Air ForceWing Commander flying in an F-16 jet was killed when it crashed in a wooded area.[18][19][20] On March 13, 2020, A missing man formation would later be flown by the PAF on 13 March to honor the pilot.
Ironically 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 (incomplete list):
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.
