KARACHI, March 23: Family members of the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah living in Pakistan and India visited Quaid's mausoleum on Pakistan Day. They offered fateha and laid wreaths at the Quaid's mazar besides praying for the progress and prosperity of the country.

Mrs Saeeda, daughter of the Quaid's elder brother late Jan Muhammad Natu Poonjah, during her visit to the mazar, said that she had specially come here from Mumbai, India, to attend the 64th anniversary of the Pakistan Resolution.

"Pakistan Day reminds us of the long and relentless struggle of the Muslims of the sub-continent led by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for an independent Muslim state," she said.

She said her family was mainly involved in automobile business in India and was living a happy life in Mumbai. "Irrespective of the religion, Indians do respect and support our family for being related to (one of) the great leader of South Asia."

She is staying at the residence of the Quaid's grandson, Muhammad Aslam Jinnah, who, along with his family, was also present on the occasion. Aslam Jinnah, trading in shopping bags in the Nazimabad area, thanked the government for extending protocol and basic facilities for his family.

"On national days, we receive state protocol," he said. Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammed Khan Mahar and his Cabinet Ministers, visited the Mazar of the Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah to pay tribute to the Founder of Pakistan on the Pakistan Day.

They laid wreaths at the Quaid's Mazar and offered fateha besides recording their impressions in the visitor's book. Earlier, the governor was escorted by a Naval Police squad and was welcomed by the chief minister and his cabinet ministers.

Project Director and DCO Karachi Mir Hussain Ali apprised the governor and the Chief Minister about the progress of work in this regard. He said that seepage in the area had been controlled while the work on the floor of the underground hall would be completed during the year.

Governor Ishratul Ibad expressed surprised over the fact that proper attention had not been paid on the area of the Quaid's grave underneath his mazar, adding that he had acted promptly when it was brought to his notice.

He expressed the hope that work on the hall besides the Quaid's grave would be completed within the stipulated time. Speaking after visit to the Quaid's Mazar, the governor reiterated determination that with collective efforts, the country will be made a citadel of peace, democracy and progress. A large number of people belonging to various social and political organizations also visited the mausoleum and offered fateha. -Agencies