KARACHI, Aug 12: The mausoleum of the father of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah will remain closed for public today to carry out rehearsals and preparations for the programmes of the Independence Day.

Over 1,200 colourfully dressed up school children are taking part in the rehearsal that will take place on Saturday morning. The mausoleum will also remain illuminated on the night between Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday the Independence Day programmes will start early in the morning with mounting of the guards at the mazar at 7.30am. It would be followed up by flag hoisting ceremony and offering of fateha by the Sindh governor, chief minister and members of the cabinet. School children will also participate in the function.

The gates of the mausoleum will open for public on Sunday morning at 10am and the public could visit the mazar till 10pm. Any political activity, carrying of banners, raising slogans is not allowed in the precincts of the mausoleum under the Quaid-i-Azam Mazar Maintenance and Protection Act 1971. However, only Pakistani flag would be allowed in the precincts of the mazar.

The mausoleum will also remain closed for public on Monday morning for cleaning up and would be opened for public in the afternoon at 3pm.

Entry to the Mazar, which otherwise is Rs2 for a child and Rs3 for an adult, will be free on Aug 14.