ISLAMABAD: Pakistan could make headway in every field by following the ideas and vision of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the vice chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) said at an event to mark Jinnah’s 143rd birth anniversary on Wednesday.

According to a statement, QAU Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Ali Shah presided over the event. Student Affairs Director Dr Amir Waseem, Academics Director Dr Ishtiaq Ali, Academic Staff Association President Dr Aqeel Bukhari, QAU Alumni Association Secretary General Murtaza Noor, members of faculty, office-bearers of the Employees Welfare Association and students attended the event.

Dr Mariam Anees, deputy director of student affairs, conducted the proceedings.

Events organised across capital on Jinnah’s 143rd birth anniversary

Dr Shah highlighted various aspects of Jinnah’s personality and paid tribute to him. He said Quaid-i-Azam gave a lot of attention towards the importance of education and empowering women.

Even in his will, he donated money to Aligarh Muslim University, Islamia College Peshawar and Sindh Madressatul Islam University in Karachi, he said.

He said that QAU was established in Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s name and would continue to follow his vision.

Members of faculty, the alumni association and students also distributed blankets among people without shelter in various sectors in the capital on the occasion.

Lok Virsa

The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, also known as Lok Virsa, organised various events to mark Quaid-i-Azam’s birth anniversary at the Pakistan Monument Museum and on its premises.

The celebrations were aimed at educating young people about Jinnah’s vision and Pakistan’s ideology. Special events were organised to highlight his views, particularly with regards to rule of law, supremacy of the constitution and upholding of democracy.

A cake was cut at the Pakistan Monument Museum, while an exhibition of photographs and books was held in collaboration with the National Library. There was also a muzakra on the role and responsibility of Jinnah as the founder of Pakistan, national songs were played on a large projector in the Museum Hall, documentaries on Jinnah’s life were screened at the Pakistan Monument and Heritage Museum and folk singers sang patriotic songs accompanied by traditional drummers.

Pakistan Academy of Letters

The Pakistan Academy of Letters also held a number of events on the fifth day of celebrations of Jinnah’s birth anniversary.

During a debate titled ‘Quaid and Kashmir’, speakers said Jinnah knew Muslims could not live along with Hindus and struggled for a separate country. They said that he was proven right with time, as India imposed a curfew in India-held Kashmir and was creating problems for minorities in other parts of the country.

They added that he believed women should also work for the development of the country, which would not progress if half its population was ignored.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2019