Pakistan observes 149th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam
The nation is celebrating 149th birth anniversary of the 'Father of the Nation' Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah today with renewed pledge to uphold his guiding principles of Faith, Unity and Discipline on Thursday.
It is a public holiday today.
The day dawned with 31-gun salutes in the federal capital and 21-gun salute at provincial capitals, while special prayers were offered at the mosques after Fajr prayer for the departed soul of the 'Father of Nation' and peace, prosperity and development of the country.
National flag has been hoisted atop all public and private buildings, while Qur'an Khawani and a change of guards ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi.
Born on this day in 1876, in Karachi, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah led the Pakistan movement which culminated at establishment of a separate homeland for Muslims of the sub-continent.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have renewed the pledge to follow in the footsteps of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the progress and prosperity of the nation.
On the 149th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, I join the nation in paying heartfelt tribute to the Founder of our nation.
This day offers an opportunity for collective reflection and renewal of our commitment to the Quaid’s guiding principles - democracy,…In their messages on the occasion of birth anniversary of 'Father of the Nation' Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, they said this day is reminder of the conviction and hard work that shaped Pakistan.
The president and prime minister said Quaid-e-Azam stood for democracy, justice and equality and these values remain central to our national journey and essential for our progress and maintaining social cohesion and confidence.
They urged all Pakistanis, particularly the youth, to hold firm to Quaid's ideals and contribute to building a peaceful, inclusive and forward-looking Pakistan.
Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu have also paid tribute to the Father of the Nation on the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
In their message on behalf of the armed forces, they reiterated their resolve to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to contribute wholeheartedly towards national stability, peace, and development, in line with the ideals and aspirations of Quaid-e-Azam.
The armed forces also extended heartfelt Christmas greetings to the Christian community of Pakistan, acknowledging their valuable contributions to the nation's progress.
Sindh
Multiple government members visited Mazar-e-Quaid to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
An impressive change of guard ceremony was held at the Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah today in connection with the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.
During the ceremony, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Military Academy Kakul assumed the ceremonial guard duties.
Commandant of Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, Major General Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhry was the chief guest on the occasion. He laid floral wreath at the Mazar and offered fateha. He also recorded his impressions in the book of visitors.
Earlier, Quran Khwani was also held at the Mazar for Quaid-e-Azam.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasser Hussain Shah and other cabinet members laid floral wreaths at the mausoleum. Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar also attended. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori were present as well.
Speaking to the media, Governor Tessori said the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam reminded the nation of sacrifice and renewed resolve.
He said Jinnah secured Pakistan through wisdom and strategy, enabling the nation to live in freedom. He added that the founder left behind guiding principles and that national progress was possible if political leadership and the youth followed them.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s thoughts continue to guide the nation amid present-day challenges, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said.
He said faith, unity and discipline were not mere slogans but the foundation of governance. The ideology of Pakistan, he added, demanded a state based on justice, self-respect and public welfare.
Protecting Pakistan’s ideological foundations was the guarantee of national stability, the chief minister said.
Referring to India, Afridi said the rise of extremism there showed that the creation of Pakistan was an inevitable historical decision. He said atrocities against minorities, particularly Muslims, remained a pressing question for the global conscience.
He added that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government was committed to making Quaid-e-Azam’s principles a practical part of governance, with transparency, merit and public welfare as top priorities.
Afridi concluded that a state could not be strong without the rule of law, merit and social justice.