ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The 138th birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is being celebrated throughout the country on Thursday.
The political parties and social, cultural and educational institutions have chalked out various programs to highlight life and achievements of the Quaid with special reference to Pakistan Movement and his guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline.
It is a public holiday and national flag is being hoisted atop all public and private buildings.
Earlier in the morning, Qur’an Khawani was held at the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi. Later a change of Guard’s ceremony was held at the Mazar-e-Quaid in which cadets of Pakistan Military Academy Kakul took over the guard duties at the mausoleum.
In their separate messages on the occasion, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called upon the nation to demonstrate the courage and dedication of the Quaid-e Azam to successfully face the current challenges, including terrorism.
The president and the prime minister said that the need for following the Quaid’s path and to adhere to the principles of unity, faith and discipline was never as great as it is today.
“We must reaffirm our commitment to those ideals of democracy, egalitarianism, constitutionalism and rule of law that were upheld by our great leader throughout his life,” Mamnoon Hussain said.
The president underscored the need to make a pledge to work individually as well as collectively to make Pakistan a peaceful, progressive and prosperous state.
In his message, the prime minister urged the nation to work whole-heartedly and with dedication to build a strong and prosperous Pakistan. He said that patriotism, dedicated work and selfless service for the greater glory of Pakistan could be the most befitting tribute to the memory of Quaid-e-Azam.
