Nation celebrates 146th birthday of Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI, Dec 25 (SABAH): The nation celebrated 146th birthday of Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Saturday, with renewed commitment to work hard for progress and prosperity of the country.
The national flag was hoisted at all public and private buildings across the country.
The day began with a traditional change of guard ceremony at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah attended by Governor Sindh Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and provincial cabinet members.
During the change of guards ceremony overseen by Commandant PMA Major General Omer Ahmed Bokhari, the cadets from Pakistan Military Academy Kakul took over the charge of the mausoleum.
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah have expressed the resolve to take forward Pakistan in lines with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Talking to media after visiting the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Jinnah in Karachi on Saturday, they underlined the need of unity for the development and prosperity of the nation. Earlier, they laid floral wreath and offered Fateha at the mausoleum.
The two, governor and chief minister Sindh, laid separate floral wreaths at the mausoleum and later pen down their views in the writing book, paying homage to the man who lead the struggle that culminated in the formation of a separate homeland for Muslims of the Indian sub-continent in the face of Pakistan.
A number of events, including seminars, debates and exhibitions, were held both at official and civil society levels to highlight life, achievements and different aspects of personality of the Quaid-i-Azam.
President Dr. Arif Alvi has urged countrymen to follow guiding principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s to make Pakistan a great nation.
In his message on the Quaid Day, he said the Father of the Nation made the utmost struggle for the independence of the Muslims of the subcontinent.
He said due to his tireless efforts, capabilities, determination, and extraordinary character, the Quaid-e-Azam materialized his dream of the creation of Pakistan.
The president said that in order to cope with the prevailing challenges, the nation should follow Quaid’s golden principles of Faith, Unity and Discipline.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasized youth to adopt Quaid’s attributes of honesty, hard work, perseverance.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message on the occasion of birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, has emphasized upon youth to adopt Quaid’s attributes of honesty, hard work, perseverance and dedication.
He said we as a nation need to adopt these attributes to realize Quaid’s vision of a developed, progressive and tolerant Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said Muhammad Ali Jinnah realized importance of a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent where all citizens could enjoy freedom of faith, occupation and equal opportunities.
Meanwhile in tweet on Saturday, Director General, Inter Services Public Relations, Babar Iftikhar has said Quaid’s vision of a peaceful and progressive Pakistan and his principles of unity, faith and discipline are imperative for our success as a nation.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed says Pakistan can make robust development by following golden principles advocated by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Talking to newsmen after visiting mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi on Saturday, he said our national leader was protector of the rights of minorities. The Interior Minister also laid a floral wreath on the mausoleum and offered Fateha.
“Today on his birthday, we pay homage to our Quaid, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Our leader of great vision, humanity and tolerance. May all of us rise to follow his legacy,” tweeted Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Federal Human Rights Minister Dr. Shireen Mazari said Jinnah had managed to create Pakistan against all odds and betrayals. She stressed that the only way forward was in remaining true to his vision of Pakistan.
Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that Jinnah’s tireless hard work and principled political struggle had given the people the gift of an independent state.
He said that the great leader made inevitable the formation of a state in the shape of Pakistan where all citizens enjoyed equal opportunities to live and progress without any discrimination of caste, creed, race, religion and language.
“We must move forward as a united nation by getting rid of anti-national elements like sectarianism and extremism.
“On the birthday of Father of the Nation, we pledge to make Pakistan an ideal country,” Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said.
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Ahmed Khan Buzdar also released a video message congratulating the nation on the founder’s birth.
“He was a principled leader … it is a requirement of loving him that we selflessly serve the country and its people while following in his footsteps,” Buzdar said.
Meanwhile, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar shared a timeless quote by Stanley Wolpert who is widely known and respected in Pakistan because of his books on Jinnah including his biography. “Quaid still inspires us in our journey to fulfill his vision,” Umar said.
PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman said Pakistan needed to “remember and act on your famous policy speech on Aug 11 1947, exhorting inclusion, tolerance, respect for each other’s faith and a progressive social contract”.
PML-N President Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the best way to pay tribute to the Quaid was to “make ‘work, work and work’ the governing principle of our national life in a mission to rebuild Pakistan.” He said Jinnah’s motto of faith, unity and discipline offered the path to Pakistan’s redemption. In a separate statement, Shehbaz again paid homage to Jinnah and elaborated on the lessons that needed to be learnt from him.