KARACHI: The 139th birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was celebrated across the country on Friday with due enthusiasm. Jinnah was born on Dec 25, 1876, in Karachi.

The day was declared a public holiday.

A change of guard ceremony was held at the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi in the morning, where Commandant PMA Major Gen Nadeem Raza was the guest of honour.

A contingent comprising 180 cadets from the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul assumed guards' duties at the mausoleum.

President Mamnoon Hussain along with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah paid a visit to the mausoleum where they placed wreaths and offered Fateha.

A military band played ceremonial and marching tunes, including the national anthem.

In their messages on the occasion, President Mam­noon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid tribute to the Quaid’s leadership.

The president urged the nation to forge unity to defeat the forces of extremism and militancy and try to uphold the principles of democracy, constitution and the rule of law. “Let us dedicate ourselves, on this historic occasion, to keep the unity of the country and glory of Islam uppermost in our thought and deed.”