ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided to convene a session tomorrow (Monday) to decide whether the annual Pakistan Day parade should be held or not.
The forum will discuss whether the parade should be cancelled or held on a limited scale. It will also deliberate on the education sector and the prevailing situation of the coronavirus across the country.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan had spoken about the spike in COVID-19 positivity ratio across the country and the public’s negligence in following safety protocols. There has been a sudden rise in cases in Punjab and Islamabad amid the third wave of the pandemic.
Last year, the government had cancelled the Pakistan Day parade scheduled as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus. At the time, the coronavirus had affected 28 people in Pakistan and more than 120,000 people across the world, causing the deaths of more than 4,500 people globally.
READ MORE: ‘One Nation, One Destiny’- ISPR releases national song for Pakistan Day
Earlier, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has issued directives for participants in connection with the Pakistan Day parade which would be held under strict safety precautions.
According to fresh directives, all guests attending the 23rd March parade have been strictly directed to follow COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Face masks have been made mandatory and every participant will undergo temperature checks. It has also been directed to ensure the presence of hand sanitizers and masks at all entry gates. The sitting arrangement for guests has been made keeping in view Covid-19 SOPs.
Pakistan Day will be celebrated with national zeal and fervorur on Tuesday March 23. The rehearsals of being held in Islamabad besides preparations for the annual parade event. National flags and banners inscribed with slogans of national solidarity have been placed at prominent places in the federal capital.
The state-owned media will broadcast special programs to pay tribute to leaders and activists of the Pakistan Movement who passed the historic Pakistan Resolution in Lahore on March 23, 1940.
