Quaid’s birthday celebrated with zeal

Several commemorative events organised across all cities

ISLAMABAD:

On December 25, the nation celebrated the 147th birth anniversary of the nation’s father, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah with traditional zeal and fervour.

Quaid's birthday is celebrated annually on December 25, the day he was born in 1876 in Karachi. His birth anniversary this year was welcomed with special prayers for the integrity, solidarity, progress and prosperity of Pakistan in mosques throughout the city.

Special programmes were arranged by various social, political, governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as forums to celebrate the birthday in a befitting manner. The participants of the different events paid rich tribute to Jinnah for his tireless efforts and visionary leadership.

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In Karachi, a change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam. A smartly turned-out contingent of cadets from the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul took the ceremonial duties of sentries from the cadets of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Alongside this, 'Fateha Khawani' and 'Quran Khawani' activities were also held at the mausoleum.

President Dr Arif Alvi extended his heartfelt greetings to the nation on the occasion. “Quaid-e-Azam was the great benefactor of the nation whose tireless efforts led to the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Sub-continent,” said the President.

Caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar also paid special tribute to the father of the nation. "Today, we celebrate the 147th birthday of our great leader, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah," he said in a statement.

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Citizens across the nation shared inspiring quotes and photos of the Quaid to express their respect and love for him, appreciating his selfless fight for the Muslims of undivided India. Social media users, while paying rich tributes, posted messages on various platforms, commemorating his sacrifices and struggles in achieving a separate homeland for the Muslim population.

Governors and Chief Ministers of all the four provinces also paid glowing tribute to Muhammad Ali Jinnah. They noted that Jinnah changed the map of the sub-continent and made the creation of Pakistan possible for Muslims through a democratic struggle.

The diplomats and staff of Pakistan Embassies abroad also paid homage to the founding father of Pakistan. The Punjab government celebrated his birth anniversary in an unprecedented manner at the Chief Minister's office. Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi and members of the cabinet participated in a cake-cutting ceremony, extending heartfelt wishes to the nation on the revered occasion of Quaid's birth anniversary.

"The freedom we enjoy today is a result of the visionary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah."

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2023.