"Ceremony was but first devised, to put a gloss on faint deeds." -William Shakespeare Pakistan Day parades have been held every year since Pakistan became a Republic in 1956, barring a few instances such as in 2006 because of the disastrous earthquake that devastated huge parts of Azad Kashmir and NWFP on October 8, 2005. Perhaps the decision not to hold the parade last year was an expression of sympathy with those who had lost relatives and had their homes and hearths razed to the ground, as well as the large scale commitments of the Army in relief and rehabilitation work. At a time of national disasters, be it man made or natural, it is no doubt in bad taste to go about holding gala events and jubilations. To that extent the decision to forego the pomp and pageantry was wise and in good taste. It seems that the shock and awe has worn off by now, and it has been decided to hold the parade as usual come March 2007. Perhaps the rescue and rehab work has been accomplished, the infrastructure restored, so it is time to party as usual.
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