As the country celebrated the 148th birthday of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on Wednesday, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to build a Pakistan that reflects Jinnah’s vision of inclusivity and rights for religious minorities.

The day dawned with gun salutes in the federal and provincial capitals followed by a change of the guard’s ceremony at Quaid-i-Azam’s mausoleum in Karachi, where a contingent of Pakistan Military Academy Kakul assumed guard duties, Radio Pakistan reported.

Special programmes were arranged during the day to pay tribute to the Father of the Nation.

Highlights from today:

• ISPR notes Quaid’s ‘tireless efforts united our people’
• PM Shehbaz urges nation to take care of religious minorities
• Chief ministers vow to protect minorities
• COAS Munir joins Christmas celebration at Rawalpindi Church

In a statement, President Zardari reiterated his commitment to religious harmony, mutual respect, and protection of minority rights in the country.

He said, “[The] Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of all citizens, irrespective of their faith and our founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah also envisioned a Pakistan where people of all religions could thrive as equal citizens.”

He added that upholding the rights of all citizens is essential for fostering national unity and progress.

President Zardari said that in order to achieve Quaid’s vision, “we must invest in the education of our youth, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead Pakistan into a brighter future. We also need to work for the uplift of downtrodden segments of society”.

“Jinnah’s dream of a peaceful and moderate Pakistan obliges us to promote harmony within and beyond our borders,” the president said.

“On this day, we honour the contributions of the Father of the Nation, who changed the course of history through a political struggle. Quaid-i-Azam’s vision, determination and unwavering resolve led to the creation of an independent homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent,” President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.

The president also highlighted the occasion of Christmas being celebrated today and called for “ensuring that intolerance and discrimination are discouraged and everyone feels respected and safe in the country”.

Zardari appreciated the role of the Christian community in Pakistan’s development stating “they have excelled in education, healthcare, community service, social welfare, and public service and their contributions are a testament to our national diversity.”

He said, “Let us carry the spirit of Christmas throughout the year, working together to build a society rooted in peace, justice, and compassion.”

In his statement, PM Shehbaz vowed to continue ensuring that “people of all faiths can practice their beliefs freely and contribute to the collective progress of our nation”, Radio Pakistan stated.

“Today, as we celebrate the 148th birth anniversary of our Founding Father, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, we are reminded of his extraordinary vision, unwavering courage and unparalleled determination. He achieved what many thought impossible and gifted us our homeland, Pakistan,” the prime minister said.

PM Shehbaz said that Quaid’s life continued to inspire countless people as an enlightened teacher, visionary lawyer, principled statesman, steadfast politician, and charismatic leader. “His journey is a testament to the power of conviction and the realisation of dreams through hard work and dedication,” he said.

Expressing his heartfelt felicitations to the Christian brethren in Pakistan and around the world on Christmas, the premier reaffirmed his commitment to safeguard the rights of all religious communities and foster an environment of mutual respect and understanding.

He called for reflecting on the profound message of peace, brotherhood, and love for all humanity as taught by Prophet Isa who preached values of compassion, kindness, mercy, and wisdom.

The prime minister paid tribute to the invaluable contributions made by the Christian community for the progress and stability of Pakistan, particularly in the fields of education, healthcare, and nation-building.

PM urges nation to take care of religious minorities

Speaking at a special event held in Islamabad to mark Christmas, PM Shehbaz urged the nation to “work together for peace, progress and prosperity”.

Noting that Prophet Isa (Jesus) and his mother, Maryam (Mary), were mentioned in the Holy Quran, the premier highlighted the importance accorded to them among Muslims.

Referring to Bethlehem in the Israel-occupied West Bank, he said: “Murder and brutality are rampant in the birthplace of Prophet Isa today and thousands of Palestinians have been killed.”

PM Shehbaz further called on the world to raise its voice to bring an end to Israel’s onslaught by securing a ceasefire in Gaza.

The prime minister went on to highlight the achievements of the Christian community residing in Pakistan, who he said “lived with great peace” here.

He recalled their feats in various fields, including education, as well as their role in securing the borders and various wars. He also mentioned former chief justice of Pakistan Alvin Robert Cornelius and human rights activist Cecil Chaudhry.

Calling for promoting brotherhood, the premier stressed, “We should act with patience and tolerance, keeping our emotions in control. We should take care of the religious minorities in our country in every way, treating them with care and affection, so that they consider themselves a proud part of this country.”

Chief ministers across country vow to protect minorities

On the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Tessori⁩ visited Mazar-e-Quaid, where they laid floral wreaths, offered fateha, and recorded their impressions in the visitor’s book.

CM Shah stressed it depended on the nation whether to follow Quaid’s vision and values, calling for unity and pledging to make Pakistan a “peace-loving and developed” country.

Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz also vowed to ensure protection for minority communities in her province, which saw an incident of mob violence in May that resulted in a Christian man’s death.

Addressing a Christmas event in Lahore, she said: “My entire focus is on building a better Pakistan and Punjab for you, where you can sleep peacefully, without worrying that someone would come and hit you and burn your house, or there would be mob violence.

“My special focus is that you get that sense of inclusion, participation and ownership,” the chief minister added.

“If the state is like a mother, then your chief minister is also like a mother. Like a mother does not discriminate among her children, there is no religious discrimination in my mind and heart.

“Whether it is a Christian, Hindu, Sikh, or belongs to any other religion, they are my crown and their protection and well-being is my responsibility,” Maryam asserted.

The Punjab CM said she was aiming that religious minorities are an “equal shareholder” in whatever projects her government launched.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Ali Amin Gandapur echoed the reconciliatory tone shown recently by his party, the PTI.

Recalling Quaid’s dreams of a prosperous Pakistan, the KP CM stressed the need today to “play our individual and collective role by rising above our political affiliations to make this country a great Islamic welfare state, as per the vision of Pakistan’s founders”.

CM Gandapur called for establishing a system of “law, justice and merit” in the country, terming them as the basic principles of a welfare state.

In his statement on Christmas, the chief minister noted that the Constitution guaranteed Christians “complete freedom to celebrate their festivals and practice their religion and traditions”.

He affirmed that his KP government believed in protecting religious minorities, their property and their rights, and was taking concrete steps for it. “The prevailing situation in the country demands that interfaith harmony be promoted at all levels,” CM Gandapur stressed.

Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti also highlighted Quaid’s values, calling on the public to pledge to play its role for national unity and stability.

Separately, a post on former prime minister Imran Khan’s X account, which is not operated directly by him, stressed: “We must resolve to build a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan, rooted in justice for all its citizens.”

Another post wished “Christian citizens a Happy Christmas, full of peace and joy”.

COAS Gen Munir joins Christmas celebration at Rawalpindi Church

Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir joined the Christian community in celebrating Christmas at Rawalpindi’s St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral Church, underscoring the spirit of inclusivity and harmony.

The congregation extended a warm welcome to the COAS, expressing gratitude for his presence and solidarity during this cherished occasion, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The army chief conveyed his heartfelt Christmas greetings to the Christian community across the nation, emphasising that the occasion “serves as a profound reminder of the universal values of compassion, generosity, and goodwill — principles that bind our diverse society together”.

“He further acknowledged the remarkable contributions of minorities and Christian community to Pakistan’s cultural, social, economic and national progress, which remain a source of pride and strength for the nation,” the ISPR said.

On the occasion, Gen Munir also paid a solemn tribute to the Founder of the Nation, highlighting Quaid’s “visionary leadership, unwavering determination, and steadfast adherence to the principles of Faith, Unity and Discipline”, which “not only paved the way for the creation of Pakistan but also provided a timeless blueprint for nation-building”.

The COAS remarked that Quaid-e-Azam’s enduring commitment to the ideals of freedom, equality, and religious tolerance “continued to inspire and guide the nation in addressing contemporary challenges, from safeguarding territorial integrity to fostering internal stability”.

“As we commemorate this festive season, let us reaffirm our collective resolve to transform Pakistan into the peaceful, prosperous nation envisioned by the Quaid,” COAS Munir concluded, urging all citizens to work tirelessly toward achieving this shared aspiration.

Quaid’s tireless efforts united our people: ISPR

The armed forces also paid “profound homage to the Father of the Nation” on his birthday, the military’s media affairs wing said.

On the “auspicious occasion”, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the services chiefs, and the armed forces honoured the “enduring vision and unparalleled leadership of Quaid-e-Azam”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

It added that Jinnah’s “tireless efforts united our people and established the foundation for a sovereign and independent Pakistan”. “On this day of national significance, we renew our unwavering commitment to his guiding principles of unity, faith, and discipline, which continue to inspire the nation,” the military said.

The armed forces also extended “heartfelt greetings to the Christian community on the joyous occasion of Christmas”. “In solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters, we celebrate the universal values of love, compassion, and peace that this occasion represents,” the statement said.

The military said it remained “resolutely dedicated to safeguarding the nation and upholding the ideals of justice, equality, and harmony in the service of our people and our homeland”.