–President, prime minister urge nation to reaffirm commitment to Quaid-e-Azam’s principles, materialise his vision
ISLAMABAD: The 142nd birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is being celebrated across the country with traditional zeal and fervor today.
The day will be marked as a public holiday and the national flag will be hoisted on principal government buildings across the country.
Special events will be arranged on the day to highlight and promote ideas and views of the Father of the Nation, particularly with regard to rule of law, the supremacy of constitution and democracy.
The day will dawn with special prayers for the security, progress and prosperity of the country.
Cultural institutions will also arrange different programmes to highlight Jinnah’s struggle for Pakistan.
Quran Khawani will be held at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi while a change of guard ceremony will take place at the monument as well.
‘REAFIRMING COMMITMENT TO QUAID’S PRINCIPLES’:
Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi has said that it is an occasion for the entire nation to rejoice its commitment to the ideals of democracy, egalitarianism, constitutionalism and rule of law which were upheld by our great leader throughout his life.
“Quaid-e-Azam united the discordant Muslims of the sub-continent, welded them into a nation and secured a separate and independent homeland for them where they could spend their lives in accordance with their own custom and their traditions,” the president said in his message on the occasion.
Jinnah’s vision and thoughts are as relevant today as they were seven decades ago, he added
‘REDEDICATING SELF TO VISION OF JINNAH’:
Prime Minister Imran Khan, on the other hand, has called on the masses to rededicate themselves to the vision of the founding father.
“Our Quaid had envisioned a state where we could live and breathe as free men, where we could enjoy freedom from fear and want; where we could fashion our lives according to our religious and cultural values, and where the principles of State of Madina could be followed to create a just and prosperous society,” the premier said in his message on Jinnah’s birth anniversary.
Jinnah, the prime minister said, had wanted a society where every citizen enjoys the privileges of equal rights; where rule of law reigns supreme and establishment of a state which provides its umbrella to marginalised and vulnerable and also facilitates the growth of every individual to his or her full capabilities.
“The best way to pay homage to our Quaid is to adhere to his vision and follow his guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline, in our individual as well as collective lives, towards making our country a true welfare, progressive and prosperous state,” PM Khan said.
Separately, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that PM Khan had laid the foundation of “Naya Pakistan” following the vision of the Jinnah.
Speaking after inaugurating a photographic exhibition titled “Life of Jinnah” at Lok Virsa, the minister said Jinnah, with his visionary approach, not only defeated the British and Hindu, but also united the Muslims and laid the foundation of a modern Islamic welfare state.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Shah Farman and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan also stressed upon the need for national unity as envisioned by Jinnah and said that working with a renewed spirit of nationalism was the need of the hour.
‘JINNAH DID NOT ENVISION A THEOCRATIC STATE’:
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said that Jinnah, while creating Pakistan, had envisioned a democratic state and not a theocratic or autocratic one in which thoughts and actions of individuals were controlled by a few in the name of ideology.
“Constitutionalism, rule of law and equality without any prejudice of religion, caste and creed are the guiding principles behind the creation of Pakistan,” he said and highlighted the need to introspect the direction the state has taken; whether ideology and religion are being misused to negate the pristine principles of the state and to stifle dissent and free expression.
Zardari added that the PPP reiterated its resolve to defend the founding principles of Pakistan and to fight despotism, extremism and militancy.