ISLAMABAD: The 146th birth anniversary of the father of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, will be observed on Sunday (today) with renewed pledge to uphold his guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline.

The day will dawn with special prayers for security, progress and prosperity of the country. The national flag will be hoisted on major government buildings throu­gh­out the country. Special events will be arranged to promote the ideals and views of the founder of Pakistan, particularly with regard to rule of law, supremacy of the Constitution, and upholding of democracy.

Public and private departments across the country will hold a variety of events, including seminars, conferences, competitions and discussion programmes, to highlight the messages and vision of the Quaid.

Messages shedding light on various aspects of the Quaid’s struggle for the achievement of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent were issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders.

Prime Minister Sharif called on the nation to take guidance from the Quaid’s life and follow his principles to ensure the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

The struggle of Quaid-i-Azam was against the idea of a majority usurping the rights of minorities on the basis of numerical superiority, the premier said, adding that he had strived for the restoration of a unique way of life of Muslims and for their separate social, economic, political and cultural identity in the comity of nations.

PM Shehbaz pointed out that because of the rising religious animosity and the thinking of extremist Hindutva, India as a state had failed to protect rights of the minorities. This situation has proved right the Quaid’s arguments for the two-nation theory, he stressed.

The PM said that Pakistan was going through a difficult phase at present and the need to follow the Quaid’s principles had become more necessary to follow than ever. The best way to pay tribute to him was to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state.

“We have to put an end to internal chaos and work tirelessly for the advancement of Pakistan,” he said.

Former president and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari on the occasion said Peoples Party was steadfast on its resolve to make Pakistan a democratic and welfare state.

He said the founder of Pakistan was a true democrat and an enlightened leader who advocated for human and religious freedom.

Mr Zardari said PPP would continue to defend freedom of expression and political and religious liberty in the country founded by the Quaid-i-Azam.

He said the 1973 Constitution given by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a guarantee of stability.

Paying tribute to the Quaid, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said his dedication and unflinching resolve for the cause of freedom would always be remembered.

“We could lead country on the way of progress and prosperity by following the golden principles of the father of nation,” he said.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo said the nation should pledge to play its role for the stability of the country and the promotion of national unity by putting aside political and group differences.

In his message, he said the country was facing challenges, and maintaining unity in “our ranks and upholding the golden principles of the father of the nation is the need of the hour”.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2022