By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The government said on Tuesday it will forgo its annual military parade and associated ceremonial events for Pakistan Day on March 23, citing austerity measures imposed in response to a global oil crisis sparked by the ongoing war between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The decision marks a rare scaling back of one of the country’s most visible national commemorations. Pakistan Day honors the passage of the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, when the All-India Muslim League formally demanded a separate homeland for the Muslims of British India — a pivotal step toward the creation of Pakistan seven years later.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, officials said the parade and related events would be replaced by a simple flag-hoisting ceremony “at appropriate levels” to preserve the day’s dignity while adhering to new fiscal restraints. “This measure is being taken to ensure that the resilience and unwavering commitment of the nation to the ideals of Pakistan Day remain aligned with the broader austerity framework,” the statement said. It directed ministries, divisions and departments to observe the occasion “in a solemn and respectful manner, ensuring that the essence of the day is preserved despite the scaled-down celebrations.”
The announcement comes barely a week after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unveiled an array of unprecedented belt-tightening steps aimed at conserving fuel and easing the economic strain on a country already grappling with limited foreign reserves. The measures were prompted by the disruption of global oil supplies following the outbreak of hostilities in late February. Since Feb. 28, U.S. and Israeli forces have conducted strikes inside Iran, prompting Tehran to launch counterattacks against American bases in Gulf countries and target commercial and oil infrastructure. The resulting turmoil has severely curtailed tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil and a quarter of liquefied natural gas exports. Pakistan, which imports the bulk of its crude and refined petroleum products, has been among the nations hardest hit.
Sharif’s austerity package, rolled out last week in a national address, includes a four-day workweek for government offices, with an extra weekly holiday introduced explicitly for fuel conservation. Half of public-sector employees are now required to work from home, though those in essential services are exempt. Fuel allowances for official vehicles have been slashed by 50 percent, and up to 60 percent of the government fleet is being grounded. All schools across the country have been ordered closed for two weeks as part of the conservation drive. In a further step disclosed over the weekend, salaries for employees of state-owned enterprises and autonomous institutions under government control will be reduced by between 5 percent and 30 percent. The savings will be redirected toward public relief efforts, officials said.
Normally, Pakistan Day begins with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in each provincial capital. The centerpiece is a grand military parade featuring the armed forces in full regalia, along with displays of fighter jets, tanks and other hardware — a potent symbol of national pride and military strength. By contrast, Tuesday’s directive reflects the depth of the economic pressure now facing the government. Officials have framed the pared-back observance not as a diminishment of the day’s significance but as an act of national solidarity in difficult times.“ Ministries, divisions, and departments are advised to mark the occasion in a solemn and respectful manner,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.
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