The demonstration of military might in the form of military parades has a long, varied history. They have been taking place ever since there have been formal militaries. On March 23, 2022, 82^nd Pakistan Day was celebrated in a befitting manner with great national zeal and patriotism, as the country marked the passing of Lahore Resolution, a resolution that demanded a separate nation for the Muslims of the subcontinent on March 23, 1940, in Lahore. The contingents of Pakistan Armed Forces along with other security forces put on a spectacular display of march past while the fighter aircraft of Pakistan Air Force presented a fly-past that was led by the Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.
The dignitaries from the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also attended Pakistan Day Parade as guests of honor who were in Pakistan for the 48^th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), amplifying the significance of the OIC CFM as it coincided with Pakistan Day celebrations. Pakistan’s commitment to promoting unity within the Muslim world and advancing the cause of justice for Muslims, promoting inclusive and sustainable development for the member states of OIC, was reflected in the theme of the session, ‘Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development’.
Pakistan’s pivotal role as an anchor of stability in South Asia was commended during the conference as well as its efforts for the promotion of regional peace. The issue of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was also focused upon, wherein, the OIC member states expressed solidarity with the people of the occupied territory, and reaffirmed their position against the attempts to equate the legitimate freedom struggle and liberation from a brutal foreign occupation with terrorism. Concerning the Afghanistan issue, in order to prevent an economic meltdown and worsening humanitarian situation, the OIC moot once again called for the return of frozen assets of Afghanistan.
A significant development that has taken place recently is the decision by United Nations General Assembly to approve a resolution declaring March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia that was introduced by Pakistan on behalf of OIC, marking the day of the Christchurch incident. The resolution was adopted with the consensus of 193-member world body, co-sponsored by 55 mainly Muslim countries. It emphasized on the right to freedom of religion and belief and recalled a 1981 resolution that calls for the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. It is to be noted that anti-Muslim sentiments have reached a dangerous proportion in certain parts of the world. Recently, vandals attacked and damaged over 30 gravestones in a Muslim cemetery in Germany, among other notable incidents.
Pakistanis are fortunate to have a country where the rights of citizens are protected, a state where people won’t be subdued and have a rich legacy which binds them together. As the French historian, Ernest Renan, said in his 1882 lecture, a nation should be understood as "a soul, a spiritual principle," constituted not only by present-day consent but also by the dynamic residuum of the past, "the possession in common of a rich legacy of memories" that form in the citizen "the will to perpetuate the value of the heritage that one has received in an undivided form."

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