ISLAMABAD: The 141st birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was celebrated with national zeal and enthusiasm.

It was a public holiday Monday and national flag was hoisted atop all public and private buildings.

A number of events, including seminars, debates and exhibitions, are being held both at official and civil society levels to highlight life, achievements and different aspects of the personality of the Quaid.

In their separate messages on the occasion, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi have urged the nation to get united for the noble cause of national progress and prosperity.

The President said the ideal way to pay tribute to the great Quaid is not to hesitate from any sacrifice for the development and prosperity of the motherland.

The Prime Minister said this day has a special significance for the whole nation because besides paying tributes to the great leader, it is a day to reiterate the resolve for reviving Quaid’s thoughts and move forward with his ideas.

An impressive change of guard ceremony, in connection with the birth anniversary celebrations of Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was held at the Mazar of Quaid-i-Azam in Karachi today.

Cadets of Pakistan Military Academy Kakul mounted the ceremonial guard duty.

Commandant Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, Major General Akhter Nawaz Satti, who was the chief guest on the occasion, inspected the parade. He also visited the Mazar, laid floral wreath and offered Fateha.

Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visited the Mazar of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to pay tribute to the father of the nation.

The Governor and Chief Minister laid floral wreaths at the Mazar and offered Fateha. They also recorded their impressions in the visitors’ book.

The representatives of three armed forces also visited the Mazar, laid floral wreaths and offered Fateha.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Muhammad Ali Jinnah Library in Islamia College University of Peshawar, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi urged the nation to follow the golden principles of unity faith and discipline of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He paid glowing tributes to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for devoting his life for services of Muslims of the Sub-continent.

The prime minister said the government is spending a huge amount on the promotion of higher education in the country. He asked the students to concentrate on their education.

Addressing the function, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, considered education as a prerequisite for economic prosperity and development of the country.

He said prosperity and development without education is impossible and great responsibilities rest on universities to impart quality education to students besides focusing on their character building.

Ahsan Iqbal said our problems cannot be addressed at civil secretariats but would be addressed by developing our educational institutions and universities besides provision of quality education to students.

The Interior Minister stressed on elimination of extremism, prejudice and sectarianism from the society to make the country abode for all the Pakistanis. He said development of the country is linked with quality education, political stability and continuity of economic policies. He said these social evils could be eliminated through education and stressed the need for joint struggle by all.

President Mamnoon Hussain has urged the youth to play their due role for development and prosperity of the country in light of the teachings of Quaid-i-Azam. He was addressing a children’s programme organized in honour of the birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Islamabad today.

The President said that children and youth are the future and the asset of Pakistan as half of its population consists of young lot. He particularly stressed the need for girls’ education as they play a vital role for the establishment of a robust society and a strong nation.

In his message, Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Quaid’s vision of human values, social justice, equality and fraternity constituted motivation for creation of Pakistan. He said by following the teachings of Quaid, we can keep Pakistan safe and strong.

Addressing the cake-cutting ceremony in connection with the Quaid’s birth anniversary at PTV Islamabad today, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb laid stress on following the golden principles of Quaid-i-Azam.

She said that Quaid-i-Azam was a great advocate of democracy and all the federating units should work together to strengthen the democratic institutions in the country.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said the government is working on comprehensive plans for the development of the country and welfare of the common man. She said that Prime Minister’s Education Reforms Programme, Health Cards and other initiatives will improve the standard of education and health in the country.

The Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust marked 141st birthday of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah both at Aiwan-i-Karkunan-i-Tehreek-i-Pakistan in Lahore today.

Speakers paid tributes to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for liberating the Muslims of sub-continent from the subjugation of British and Hindu rulers. They also vowed to continue with developing Pakistan in line with his teachings.

A function in connection with the birth anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah was held in Peshawar today.

Addressing the function, the speakers said the nation should remember the main objectives set by Muhammad Ali Jinnah for which the state of Pakistan was created.

Different educational and cultural organizations had also arranged special functions to mark the day.

In Muzaffarabad, a function was held at the Mazar of K. H Khursheed to mark the day. Speakers on this occasion paid rich tribute to the vision and commitment of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. They said that he was the source of strength to the Muslims of the subcontinent.

Radio Pakistan in its marathon transmission is presenting special programmes to celebrate the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation. —NNI