RAWALPINDI: A six-day photo exhibition started off at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) in order to celebrate the birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

PTI MPA Momina Waheed was the chief guest at the event, which was attended by residents from the twin cities.

The struggles that Quaid-i-Azam endured to secure a separate homeland for Muslims of the Indian Sub-Continent were depicted in 100 pictures.

RAC has collected the pictures from various sources to educate the new generation about the life of the founder of country.

The pictures show the Quaid in public meetings, in talks with political leaders and some are of his personal interactions with friends and family.

MS Waheed said the new government’s agenda of change was in fact the implementation of the ideology and teachings of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

“Naya Pakistan is the country that the Quaid and Allama Iqbal dreamt of,” she said.

She claimed that in a short period of time, the PTI government has taken unprecedented measures including for simplicity, strict accountability and the elimination of VIP culture, which she said are the principles implemented by the Quaid as governor general.

She said realising the dreams of Quaid-i-Azam is not simple and that the new government will make efforts to do so in order to protect the future of the coming generations. She said status quo forces are creating hurdles in the way of the government despite which PTI will make efforts to achieve its target of national prosperity.

Pakistan is the result of the untiring efforts of the Quaid-i-Azam, she said, and lauded RAC for providing the younger generation with the opportunity to know more about the life and struggles of the country’s founder through the rare pictures on display.

RAC Director Waqar Ahmed said the exhibition has been organised in tribute to Quaid-i-Azam and to inform the youth about his life and struggles.

The exhibition will continue till Dec 31.

APP ADDS: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) celebrated the birth anniversary of the Quaid-i-Azam with a cake cutting ceremony on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq said Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was a great leader and that the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent would have been impossible without him.

He said the Quaid’s life is a beacon for the nation and that the country can be led to success and prosperity by following his teachings.

He lauded RCCI’s efforts in promoting trade activities and expressed hope it will continue to carry the legacy of great values.

The objective of handing over a prosperous Pakistan to the next generation is only possible if the Quaid’s principles of unity, faith and discipline are followed, he added.

RCCI President Malik Shahid Saleem said the previous generations have offered many sacrifices for the country and that it is every Pakistani’s duty to strive for a stable, peaceful and developed Pakistan.

Ambassador of Tajikistan Jonov Sher Ali also attended the ceremony.

A special documentary on the life of the Quaid-i-Azam was also screened.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2018