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                  Pakistan Holds First Republic Day in 7 Years

   by VOA News

   Pakistan held its first Republic Day in seven years on Monday, held
   amid tight security.

   The military parade in Islamabad commemorates the March 23, 1940
   resolution that gave birth to the South Asian nation.  No parade had
   been held since 2008 because of escalating violence from Pakistan's
   Taliban.

   Both Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain were in
   attendance Monday to salute the participating troops. Air Force jets
   and military helicopters also took part in the day's celebrations that
   included a 31-gun salute.

   In his speech, Hussain paid tribute to the victims of a December
   massacre on a high school in Peshawar where gunmen killed 153 people,
   including 132 children.

   Sharif said in a statement that "Pakistan is resolved to redeem its
   pledge given to its founding fathers that it will protect the
   homeland."

   Cell phone and wireless Internet services, which militants often use to
   trigger bombs, were blocked Monday. Pakistan's Dawn newspaper said
   other "strictly banned" activities Monday included "wedding ceremonies,
   fireworks displays, celebratory firing, kite-flying and pigeon-flying."
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/pakistan-holds-first-republic-day-in-
   7-years/2690998.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/pakistan-holds-first-republic-day-in-7-years/2690998.html