Nation celebrates Quaid's 143rd birth anniversary

President, PM ask the nation to pay homage by adhering to Quaid-e-Azam's principles of unity, faith and discipline

ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI: The nation on Wednesday is celebrating 143rd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, with renewed commitment to work hard for progress and prosperity of the country.

The day dawned with the national flag being hoisted at all public and private buildings and a change of guard’s ceremony at the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi.

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Military Academy Kakul assumed the guards' duty. Commandant Pakistan Military Academy Major General Muhammad Ali was the chief guest on the occasion.

In their separate messages on the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam, the president and prime minister have said the recent developments in India and occupied Kashmir have again vindicated the conviction of the great Quaid that the extremist Hindus would never allow Muslim minority to live with respect and dignity.

In his message, President Dr Arif Alvi said Quaid-e-Azam was a visionary man who envisaged the separate identity, needs and political direction of the Muslims of the subcontinent.

Quaid's birthday celebrated across Sindh with zeal

He said the acumen of his foresight and vision can be witnessed even today with the prevailing conditions in India and occupied Kashmir.

The president said by paying homage to this great leader, we should stand united and re-affirm our faith in his teachings.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message said the best way to pay homage to the Quaid on his birth anniversary is to adhere to his principles of unity, faith and discipline.

He said the entire world is witnessing the perversion of the so-called secular outlook of the Indian Constitution today with discrimination and brutal actions against different minorities.

He said on this Day we must not also forget the oppressed people of occupied Kashmir facing the worst human rights violations at the hands of the fascist RSS-inspired BJP government.

“We are indebted to Quaid-e-Azam for enabling us to live freely and preserve our social, cultural and religious identity. We still have a long way to go to fully realize the ideals of our founding father and fulfill the purpose for which our forefathers rendered innumerable sacrifices. We can achieve all these objectives while rededicating ourselves to the guiding principles given by the Father of the Nation,” he said.

Later he also took to Twitter to pay homage to the country’s founder. He said all young aspiring leaders should make Quaid-e-Azam their role model. “He was Sadiq and Ameen, and his 40-year struggle was not for personal gain but to achieve a homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent where they could live as free citizens second to none,” he added.

On this day, he said, “we as a nation must resolve to build Pakistan in accordance with his vision of an Islamic welfare state based on compassion and human dignity; justice and rule of law; and a plural inclusivist society”.

All our young aspiring leaders should make our Quaid their role model. He was Sadiq & Ameen; & his 40-year struggle was not for personal gain but to achieve a Homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent where they could live as free citizens second to none.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 25, 2019

A number of events, including seminars, debates and exhibitions, are being planned both at official and civil society levels to highlight life, achievements and different aspects of the personality of the Quaid.