Quaid's birthday celebrated across Sindh with zeal

Governor, chief minister offer fateha at Jinnah's mausoleum to mark December 25

KARACHI: The 142^nd birthday of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was celebrated on Monday across the province with zeal. People from different walks of life paid homage to the father of nation by cutting birthday cakes and hoisting national flags at public and private buildings. Seminars and rallies were also organised by different political groups to commemorate Jinnah's struggle for the country.

In the provincial capital, the celebrations started with a Quran khwani and the change of guards at the mausoleum of Quaid. The cadets of Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul mounted the ceremonial guard at the mazar in a ceremony attended by the representatives of all the armed forces of the country.

A public holiday had been announced beforehand and all government departments, educational institutions and business centres remained closed in the city.

Governor Mohammad Zubair, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and his cabinet members visited Quaid's mausoleum on his birthday, offered fateha and laid floral wreath on his grave.



"Quaid-i- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a great leader. His vision, wisdom and speeches are a guideline for all of us," the CM said while speaking to the media.

Jinnah taught us the lessons of unity, faith and discipline, Shah said. "I am quite content and happy to say that today we all are united against terrorists and extremists but we have to further strengthen unity in our ranks and rise above religious and sectarian considerations," he added.

Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon and Inspector-General of Police Allah Dino Khawaja also accompanied the CM at the mausoleum.

Political leaders and notable personalities issued statements for the day, paying tribute to the father of nation.

"Quaid-i-Azam's vision of Pakistan was dented by the dictatorial regimes and elements infesting Kalashnikov culture, ethnic hatred and extremism in the society," said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He claimed that the PPP was serving as a strong citadel of the vision and mission of the founder of nation in its struggle for making Pakistan an egalitarian, democratic and progressive state.



Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan Convener Dr Farooq Sattar, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Sindh President Dr Arif Alvi and others also lauded the services of Quaid-i-Azam in the creation of Pakistan.

Different events were organised in other parts of Sindh, including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad, to celebrate Quaid's birthday.