An impressive change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of the nation’s founder today, as Pakistan commemorated the 149th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with nationwide reverence and a renewed pledge to his principles of Faith, Unity, and Discipline.
The day, observed as a public holiday, began with ceremonial gun salutes across the country, including a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals.
A smartly turned-out contingent from the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul assumed ceremonial guard duties at the Mazar-e-Quaid in a formal ceremony.
The Commandant of the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, Major General Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhry, was the chief guest for the occasion. He laid a floral wreath at the Mazar, offered fateha, and recorded his impressions in the visitor”s book.
Earlier, special prayers were offered at mosques after the Fajr prayer for the departed soul of the “Father of the Nation” and for the country”s peace, prosperity, and development. Quran Khwani was also held at the founder”s mausoleum.
Across the country, the national flag was hoisted atop all public and private buildings to mark the day.
Born in Karachi on this day in 1876, Muhammad Ali Jinnah led the Pakistan movement, which culminated in the establishment of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Sub-continent.