RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: A change of guards ceremony was held on Thursday at the mausoleum of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal as the entire nation celebrated the 140th birth anniversary of the national poet.

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy clad in immaculate whites assumed ceremonial guard duties with traditional spirit and enthusiasm.

Contingents of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Rangers formed up outside the mausoleum and took positions alongside where both the outgoing and incoming guards were inspected by Station Commander (Navy) Lahore, Commodore Dr Sajid Mahmood Shahzad. Marching to the band tunes, the naval contingent took positions at the four corners of the mausoleum. Simultaneously, Rangers were ceremoniously moved out by their officer-in-charge.

The ceremonial guard mounting was followed by floral wreath lying at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal by Station Commander (Navy) on behalf of Chief of the Naval Staff, Officers, sailors and civilians of Pakistan Navy.

Later on, Station Commander offered Fateha and recorded his impression in the visitors book. The ceremony was witnessed by a large number of military, civil officials, schoolchildren and general public.