Received msg from PM Modi: "I extend my greetings & best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the National Day of Pa… https://t.co/Ox8UpLwv8X — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) 1553271579000 India boycotts Pakistan National Day event NEW DELHI: In a significant departure from practice and what is being seen as a major diplomatic snub, the Indian government officially boycotted the Pakistan national day reception in New Delhi on Friday evening over an invitation to Kashmiri separatist group Hurriyat.“The government of India has decided not to send any official representative to the Pakistan National Day event at the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.Hurriyat leaders also did not show up at the reception.Despite the official boycott in New Delhi, Modi did send formal greetings on Pakistan’s National Day to Pakistan PM Imran Khan .Although Modi did not tweet it from his official or personal Twitter handles, it was Imran Khan who tweeted Modi’s message to him. “Received message from PM Modi: “I extend my greetings & best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the National Day of Pakistan. It is time that ppl (sic) of sub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive & prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence”MEA spokesperson Kumar said the government’s decision to boycott any official attendance was due to the invitation to the Hurriyat and is seen as part of recent measures against separatist and extremist elements in J&K like ban on Jamaat-i-Islami and the proscription of Yasin Malik ’s JKLF.India’s absence was noted since the event is attended by the diplomatic community in New Delhi. The MEA spokesperson said Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner would not attend any Pakistan Day celebrations in Islamabad either.Indian diplomats have been asked to stay away in every country where Pakistan Day is celebrated by its mission.In the past four years, Union ministers V K Singh, M J Akbar, G S Shekhawat and Prakash Javadekar have been government representatives to the Pakistan day reception.<doc-sep>Pakistan marked its national day on Saturday with a military parade showcasing its missiles, tanks and aircraft, with a Turkish aerobatics team taking part in the celebrations and messages highlighting the solid relations between Ankara and Islamabad. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a congratulatory telegraph to his Pakistani counterpart Arif Alvi, saying that political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries, clinched further in bilateral high level visits, will be strengthened with the upcoming sixth High Level Strategic Cooperation Council Meeting to be held in Pakistan. "I fully believe that our bilateral relations, currently in an excellent state and established on the historical brotherhood of our peoples, will gain further impetus and develop in the upcoming periods based on the mutual interests of both countries," Erdoğan said. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Turkey earlier in January in a highly-publicized visit for both countries, which closely cooperate in a number of fields, including defense. (L to R) Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad, Pakistan President Arif Alvi, Azerbaijan Defense Minister Colonel General Hasanov Zakir Asgar Oglu and Pakistani Defense Minister Pervez Khattak attend the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2019. (AFP Photo) Earlier in the day, Khan welcomed a message from Indian counterpart Narendra Modi weeks after a suicide bombing in the disputed region of Kashmir triggered an escalation in tensions between the two neighbors. "I welcome PM Modi's message to our people. As we celebrate Pakistan Day, I believe it is time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address & resolve all issues, esp the central issue of Kashmir, & forge a new relationship based on peace & prosperity for all our people," Khan said on Twitter late Friday. Khan said the message from Modi extended "greetings" and "best wishes" to the people of Pakistan. Tensions between India and Pakistan flared last month after a suicide attack killed 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir. The Indian air force launched an airstrike inside Pakistan, saying it was targeting militants it blamed for the bombing. Pakistan retaliated and said it shot down two Indian air force planes. One pilot was captured and later released. India says it lost only one plane. The Indian premier sent the message days after the two countries revived diplomatic contact and discussed the opening of a corridor and a new border crossing to allow Sikhs to visit one of their holiest shrines in Pakistan. Addressing a military parade on Saturday, Alvi said that "Pakistan respects sovereignty of all countries and wishes peace." He said Pakistan's war is against hunger, poverty and unemployment. "Our desire for peace shouldn't be construed as our weakness. Let's end the hatred and sow the seeds of peace in this region for prosperity of the people," Alvi said. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed is the guest of honor at the parade. Alvi was to honor selected Pakistanis and foreigners with civilian awards later in the day. Naeem Rashid, who was killed while trying to stop the gunman who attacked two New Zealand mosques earlier this month, will be honored posthumously. The nationwide celebrations were marred by tragedy when a wall collapsed over students and teachers marking the occasion in the eastern city of Gujranwala. Local administrator Naila Baqar said five students and a teacher died, and 12 others were injured. In Pakistani capital Islamabad, the skies were filled Saturday with rainbow colors coming from roaring jets dazzling spectators on Pakistan Day ceremonies. Thousands gathered at the Islamabad Parade Ground to witness a stirring parade ceremony of the country's armed forces. A special appearance of a pilot from Solotürk, the famed Turkish Air Force aerobatics team, alongside Pakistani Air Force aircraft made the mega-event even more special. The Solotürk pilot did a demo flight to demonstrate the deep fellowship between Turkey and Pakistan. "Congratulations to all Pakistanis on Pakistan Day," Serdar Doğan, the visiting Solotürk pilot, said when his jet arrived at the parade ground. The large crowd warmly welcomed the pilot and chanted slogans praising the friendship between Turkey and Pakistan when the Turkish jet took to the skies. President Alvi, Prime Minister Khan, visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamad, and the Pakistan armed forces' services chiefs watched and praised the Turkish pilot's performance. "I really enjoyed today's event and I'm especially thankful to the Turkish nation, government, and their air forces who participated in our celebrations today," Zahid Shah, a young student from Peshawar, told Anadolu Agency. "Today I'm feeling proud of the Pakistani and Turkish air forces, and there is no doubt that both countries have the world's best pilots who can do anything," said Shazia Nasir, a resident of Islamabad. Turkish F-16 demo and stunt team Solotürk was founded in 2011 in honor of the Turkish Air Forces' 100th anniversary. At the Royal international Air Tattoo 2011 in Britain, Solotürk was awarded the King Hussein's Sword for the best overall flying demonstration among 29 air demonstrations and was also selected the best solo display team in Air Show Season in England in 2013. Chinese J-10 fighter jets demonstrate an aerobatic performance during a military parade to mark Pakistan National Day, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, March 23, 2019. (AP Photo) Besides Turkey, China and Saudi Arabia, the pride of Pakistan, the JF-17 Thunder, also performed in the airshow. In Ankara, Pakistani embassy marked its national day with a reception. After a flag-raising ceremony, Pakistan's national anthem was played and Pakistani students took stage to sing traditional songs in their native dress. Traditional cuisine from several different regions of Pakistan was served to guests at the reception. Speaking at the event, Pakistan's Ambassador to Ankara Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi thanked Turkey "for always standing beside their Pakistani brothers in the most challenging of times." He said the fraternal bonds between the two countries "are perennial." Pakistan's Ambassador to Ankara Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi and Pakistani students attend a ceremony to mark the Pakistan Day. (AA Photo) Qazi said Pakistan's national day "serves as a reminder to nurture and uphold those ideals, principles, and goals that inspired the Muslims of the sub-continent to forge unity in their ranks and become one to realize their dreams." "On this day, 79 years ago, the Muslims of the sub-continent, through their collective will and indomitable spirit, expressed unshakable resolve to carve out a separate homeland for themselves where they could fashion their lives in accordance with their own traditions, values, and culture," Qazi said. Mentioning how Pakistan has recently gone through challenging times, he added, however: "There is indeed no force on earth that can undo Pakistan."<doc-sep>After Boycott By India, Guests At Pakistan Day Event Allege Harassment By Police Delhi Police Friday evening posed various queries and sought details from guests attending a reception at the Pakistan High Commission on the eve of the country's National Day, according to several people who attended the function. In an unusual move, police personnel posted outside the Pakistan High Commission stopped the guests and sought their names and phone numbers before allowing them to proceed, according to a number of guests. The people who refused to share their phone numbers were not allowed to proceed for the event, several guests said, adding they were finally let in only after they gave their contact details. Asked for comments, a senior Delhi Police official said, "The government boycotted the event. However, there were people who came for it. In such circumstances, it was important to note the details of people who were present there and to ascertain reasons for their presence." The Delhi Police personnel also asked several guests the reason for their coming to the event when the Indian government has boycotted the reception. India boycotted the reception, objecting to invites extended to several separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir for the event. "I have been coming to Pakistan Day reception for the last several years. But for the first time I am facing such harassment. This is totally uncalled for," said a retired IAS officer who wished not to be named. Another guest said, "Even after the Kargil conflict, we had not faced such harassment." Pakistani officials said no prominent Hurriyat Conference leader attended the reception. Meanwhile, Delhi Police detained Kashmiri human rights activist Mohammed Ahsan Untoo outside the Pakistan High Commission when he was coming for the reception. Earlier, India boycotted the reception at the Pakistan High Commission here to mark Pakistan's National Day, objecting to invites extended to several separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir for the event. The External Affairs Ministry said no Indian representative will attend similar events in Islamabad as well. Over the years, India's representation at the annual event has been at the level of a Union minister. "India has decided not to send any representative to attend the Pakistan National Day celebrations today. This decision was taken after the Pakistan High Commission decided to invite representatives of the Hurriyat Conference to the reception," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar earlier said. At a media briefing, Kumar also said that India is very clear that any attempt by the Pakistani High Commission or Pakistani leadership to engage with the Hurriyat Conference will not be taken lightly. India has been strongly opposed to Pakistan engaging with separatists leaders of Jammu and Kashmir. "Our High Commission in Islamabad will also not be attending the reception there," Kumar said, replying to a question. Sources said last week India conveyed to the Pakistan High Commission that it will not send any representative to the reception if Hurriyat leaders are invited to it. They said India is boycotting the events for extending invitation to Hurriyat leaders and not because of any other issue. Last year, the reception at the Pakistan embassy was attended by Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Some low-ranking leaders from a number of separatist outfits from Kashmir also attended the reception. India's decision to boycott the reception here and events in Islamabad comes in the backdrop of heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours after the Pulwama terror attack and subsequent air strike by India on a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan's Balakot on February 26. The JeM had claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack. Pakistan retaliated the next day by attempting to target Indian military installations. India has been mounting diplomatic offensive against Pakistan since the Pulwama attack to corner the country internationally on the issue of terrorism. PTI For in-depth, objective and more importantly balanced journalism, Click here to subscribe to Outlook Magazine<doc-sep>
Pakistan Prime Minister has welcomed his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi's greetings on the eve of its National Day, saying time has come to begin a "comprehensive dialogue" between the two countries to address and resolve all issues, including the "central issue" of Kashmir. According to official sources in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi sent a letter to Khan, greeting people of Pakistan on the eve of its National Day and highlighting the importance of a terror-free South Asia. Modi, in his message, said it was time for the people of the sub-continent to work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive and prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence, they said. Khan, in a tweet, welcomed Modi's message and said the time has come to begin a comprehensive dialogue between the two countries to address and resolve all issues, including Kashmir. "I welcome PM Modi's message to our people. As we celebrate Pakistan Day I believe it is time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with to address & resolve all issues, esp the central issue of Kashmir, & forge a new relationship based on peace & prosperity for all our people," Khan tweeted on Friday. has made it clear to Pakistan that cross-border terror attacks and talks cannot go hand in hand. last year called off a planned meeting of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the sidelines of the annual session of the UN General Assembly in New York after blaming Pakistan-based entities for killing of three special police officers in Kashmir. Earlier, Khan also tweeted Modi's message. "Received msg from PM Modi: 'I extend my greetings & best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the National Day of Pakistan. It is time that ppl of Sub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive & prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence'," Khan said. Modi's message to Khan came in the midst of severe strain in ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the Pulwama attack and the subsequent air strikes by India on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot. Significantly, India Friday boycotted a reception at the Pakistan High Commission here to mark Pakistan's National Day, objecting to invites extended to several separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir for the event. The official sources in New Delhi said the prime minister sends a customary message on National Days to other heads of state and government and added that his message to Khan highlighted the importance of a terror-free South Asia. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group JeM killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. Every year on March 23, Pakistan celebrates its National Day commemorating the Lahore Resolution passed on March 23, 1940 and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan on March 23, 1956.