By Prashanth Parameswaran
Chinese president Xi Jinping may be the chief guest next month.
Pakistan is planning on reviving its annual military parade this March following a seven year hiatus and may invite Chinese president Xi Jinping as the chief guest amid tensions with neighboring rival India, Pakistani military officials told the Dawn newspaper Monday.
The Republic Day parade — which, like in neighboring India, provides Pakistan the opportunity to strut military hardware from its three armed services — has not been held since 2008 due to persistent terrorism threats and lingering security concerns. Senior Pakistani military officials now say the army, navy and air force will all participate in a parade this year, which will be held on March 23. The exact venue has not been confirmed, but the location will reportedly be in Rawalpindi, where Pakistan Army General Headquarters is situated. A diplomatic source also told Dawn that Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the parade as chief guest.
Read the full story at The Diplomat