An impressive change of guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to commemorate his 145th birthday on Saturday morning.
A smartly turned-out cadets of the Pakistan Military Academy assumed guards’ duties from Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at the mausoleum.
Chief guest Commandant Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Major-General Umar Ahmad Bukhari inspected the parade and paid homage to the Quaid. He also laid a floral wreath at the Mazar and offered fateha khawani. He also recorded his expression in the visitors’ book.
Pakistan Military Academy Kakul is only institution of the armed forces which as an academy was termed “Quaid’s Own Battalion” by “Colonel Chief” Quaid-i-Azam.
President Alvi’s message
As the nation observes 145th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah Saturday, President Dr Arif Alvi urged countrymen to follow his great guiding principles to make Pakistan a great nation.
The president, in his message to the nation, said on the day the whole nation paid tribute to the father of the nation who made the utmost struggle for the independence of the Muslims of the subcontinent, a separate and independent state for them.
He said due to his tireless efforts, capabilities, determination, and extraordinary character, the great Quaid 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.
Moreover, he also called for working through discipline, brotherhood, and dedication for the country’s prosperity which also required the contribution of all segments, ethnicities including minorities.
The president also urged the nation to make a pledge for making Pakistan a great and a strong country.
PM Imran’s message on Quaid Day
Prime Minister Imran Khan emphasized upon youth to adopt Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s attributes of honesty, hard work, perseverance and dedication.
In a message on the occasion of birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam on December 25, Imran Khan said, “On this day, I want to emphasize upon our youth that Jinnah’s attributes of honesty, hard work, perseverance and dedication to a bigger cause made him the great leader.”
“We as a nation need to adopt these attributes to realize Quaid’s vision of a developed, progressive and tolerant Pakistan.”
He said, “Today we celebrate the birthday of our great leader Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.”
It was a matter of privilege for our generation and our children to born in an independent Pakistan that could not have been our destiny without the struggle of Quaid-i-Azam, he added.
He said Muhammad Ali Jinnah realized the importance of a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent where all citizens could enjoy freedom of faith, occupation and equal opportunities.
Quaid’s determination to unify a nation despite huge challenges and opposition was only possible due to his perseverance, he added.
He had a firm faith in Almighty Allah and followed the principles of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that guided him through difficulties and challenges, the PM said.
“As per Quaid’s vision, our government is striving for a society free of corruption and a system that helps the poor and underprivileged citizens.
Pakistan is facing both internal and external challenges and the only solution to overcome these is to live by the Quaid’s ideals of unity, faith and discipline,” he added.
He said it was a day to join together in the same spirit as our forefathers did during the independence movement. “Let us shun our differences based on cast, creed and faith and work in unison.”
He said, “I pray Almighty Allah to grant us strength and unity to realize our destiny of becoming the strongest nation on earth as envisioned by our Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.”
Tribute from armed forces
Country’s armed forces also paid tribute to Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his 145th birth anniversary.
In a tweet uploaded on Saturday morning, DG ISPR said “Quaid’s vision of a peaceful & progressive Pakistan following principles of Unity, Faith & Discipline is imperative for our success as a nation.”