KARACHI: The nation was celebrating on Tuesday the 136th birth anniversary of Pakistan's founder Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, DawnNews reported.

A change of guard ceremony was held in Karachi where a fresh contingent of cadets from Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul took over the guard duty at the Quaid's mausoleum. This was followed by the laying of floral wreaths by representatives of the armed services.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and  Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman  Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also visited the mausoleum after the change of guard.

The government has declared the day a national holiday.

Special ceremonies were scheduled to be held across the country to shed light on the Quaid’s struggle for the creation of Pakistan and to highlight his guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline.

A large number of people in Karachi also visit the mausoleum to pay tribute to the father of the nation.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in separate messages on the day have called for unity and following the principles of the founder leader.