ISLAMABAD: The nation will celebrate the birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, on Friday (today) with traditional zeal and fervour.

Mr Jinnah was born on Dec 25, 1876 in Karachi. The birthday is a public holiday and the national flag will be hoisted on principal government buildings throughout the country.

The day will dawn with special prayers for the security, progress and prosperity of the country. Special events will be arranged to highlight and promote the ideas and views of the Quaid-i-Azam.

Various activities will be held in government and private organisations to shed light on the Quaid’s lifelong political struggle and his guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline.

The celebrations will be aimed at educating the youth about the Quaid’s vision and Pakistan’s ideology.

Quran Khawani would be held at the Mazar-i-Quaid in Karachi while a change of guards ceremony would also take place.

Mr Jinnah was a lawyer by profession and a politician. He served as the leader of All-India Muslim League from 1913 until Pakistan’s independence on Aug 14, 1947, and then as Pakistan’s first governor general until his death on Sept 11, 1948.

The Pakistan National Council of the Arts will hold a grand programme titled `Millat ka Pasban’ aimed to shed light on the Quaid’s teachings for the youth about what they need to do for their country to transform it into a healthy nation.

A photo exhibition will also be held to pay homage to the Quaid-i-Azam and the services he rendered for the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent.

Strict SOPs for Covid-19 will be followed at the programmes with participants practising social distancing, wearing facemasks and using hand sanitisers.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2020