KARACHI: Amid renewed wave of terrorism in the country, tottering economy and uncertainty at the political front, President Arif Alvi, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah were found in agreement on Sunday that the current challenges faced by the country could be confronted only if the people and leadership reaffirmed their commitment and forged a unity and discipline as advised by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

In their separate and brief interaction with media during their visit to the Quaid-i-Azam’s mausoleum on his birth anniversary, President Arif Alvi belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah belonging to the Pakistan Peoples’ Party agreed that the country was facing a serious crisis and suggested several measures to bring the nation out of the woods.

President Dr Alvi visited the mausoleum of the father of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and paid him rich tribute. He laid a wreath, offered fateha and also prayed for development and prosperity of the country. He, later, inked his impressions in the book of visitors.

While talking to media persons, the president said that the nation should follow the guiding principles of father of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah for development of the country.

PMA cadets take ceremonial duty of guards at Quaid’s mausoleum; governor, CM visit mazar to pay homage to father of the nation

He said that the Quaid had already known about the discriminatory behaviour of dominant majority in subcontinent with minorities including Muslims.

“We have to pursue the Quaid’s guiding principles for development of the country,” he said and advised the nation to follow Quaid’s principles of unity, faith and discipline.

“Our real destination should be to develop the nation as per the Quaid’s vision,” he said.

Sindh Governor Tessori along with Chief Minister Shah visited the mausoleum, offered fateha and laid a floral wreath at the Quaid’s grave.

Both the leaders emphasised the need for following the golden principles of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah — unity, faith and discipline — to deal with the challenges faced by the nation.

“All of us will have to play our due role for progress and prosperity of the country and to fulfil the Quaid’s wishes,” said Governor Tessori.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the nation needed unity to face all challenges, including the financial and re-emerging wave of terrorism so the country that the Quaid-i-Azam founded with his untiring efforts, visions, and sagacity could attain new vistas of development and prosperity.

“The incidents of Bannu and Islamabad are condemnable, and this nation brought into being by the Quaid-i-Azam would nip all nefarious designs of enemies of this country in the bud,” he said.

Mr Shah added that it’s the day to remember the sacrifices and struggles of the people of Kashmir for their just cause.

He added that the people of Pakistan were with the oppressed people of Kashmir.

The CM also recalled problems of the people affected by the devastating floods.

“The winter has multiplied their problems and we all must help them at this time of need,” he said and added that his government was trying its best to rehabilitate the flood-affected people.

Change of guards

A graceful change of the guard’s ceremony was held at the mausoleum earlier in the day.

Major General Umer Aziz was the chief guest on the occasion.

According to an APP report, Pakistan Air Force cadets handed over the guards’ duty to the cadets of the Pakistan Military Academy.

A smartly turned-out contingent of cadets from PMA, Kakul, took the ceremonial duty of guards at the mausoleum.

He laid a floral wreath at the Mazar-e-Quaid and offered fateha.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2022