Islamabad, Mar 23 : On the occasion of 68th Pakistan Day, President Pervez Musharraf today congratulated the people for the beginning of the real democracy in the country.

Addressing an August parade ceremony held at Jinnah Sports Complex, he said,

“The period of the real democracy has started in the country. The state of Pakistan has been achieved within seven years of tabling the Pakistan Resolution. I am fully prepared to work with the newly elected government and the elected government would have my complete support.”

He hoped that the next government would make all efforts to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in the country and fight against terrorism and extremism.

Pakistan armed forces are the best in the whole world, therefore, nation should be proud of its defence forces, The News quoted him, as saying.

President Musharraf paid tribute to Caretaker Premier Mohammedmian Soomro, the Election Commission and the law enforcement agencies on holding the free, fair and transparent elections.

The day started with a 31-Gun Salute in the National Capital and 21-Gun Salute in Provincial Capitals. Special Prayers were offered in all mosques for solidarity and prosperity of Pakistan.

Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro, Defence Minister, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Afzal Tahir, Begum Sehba Musharraf and other armed and civilian high officials attended the parade.

Smartly turned out contingents drawn from the three Services presented the Guard of Honour. It was followed by a fly-past of the PAF Combat Aircraft. JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft, the manifestation of Pak-China friendship, is also participating in the fly-past.

After the President's address, the Parade Commander, Brigadier Ehsan Ul Haq, drove past the saluting dais leading contingents of the three armed services bearing National Standards.

Battalions of the Punjab, Baloch, Azad Kashmir and Sindh Regiments, contingents of Pakistan Navy, PAF, Armed Forces Nursing Services, Punjab Rangers, Police and Special Service Group marched past the saluting dais.

Contingents of the President's Body Guard, Armoured Corps comprising Tanks "Al-Zarrar", "Al-Khalid" and T-80 UD, Mechanized Infantry, Heavy Anti Tank Regiment, Self Propelled Artillery, Army Air Defence, Engineers, Corps of Signals, and Army Strategic Force Command including Hatf-II (Abdali), Hatf-III (Ghaznavi), Hatf-IV (Shaheen-1), Hatf-V (Ghauri), Hatf-VI (Shaheen-6), Babar Cruise Missile and Ra’ad Missile were displayed.

Aerobatics by PAF "Sherdil Team" comprising 29 aircrafts was another attraction of the parade. (ANI)