KARACHI, Dec 25: Karachiites, along with millions of settlers and visitors hailing from all parts of the country, celebrated the 131st birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, in a befitting manner across the metropolis, which has the honour of being his birthplace.

The day began with special prayers for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan and its people.

At the mausoleum of the great Quaid, hundreds of people attended Quran Khwani and prayed for his departed soul. People had started arriving at the Mazar in thousands since morning and the visitors, including men, women and children, continued to visit the Mazar and pay homage to the great leader till late in the night.

In the morning, a change of guard ceremony was held at the Mazar. A smartly turned out contingent of the cadets from the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul, performed the change of guard. Major-Gen Zahid Hussain Khan, Commandant Pakistan Military Academy, reviewed the parade.

The PMA Kakul has the singular honour of being the only military institution designated as “Quaid-i-Own” by the Father of the Nation himself. The Quaid-i-Azam was the first and the only Colonel-in-Chief of the PMA, Kakul.

The representatives of the three services also visited the mausoleum, offered fateha and laid floral wreath.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Abdul Qadir Halepota, members of the caretaker cabinet, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and nazims of various towns were among the prominent figures who visited the Mazar to pay homage to the Quaid-i-Azam.

The Director General of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, Maj-Gen Liaquat Ali, visited the Mazar, laid a floral wreath and offered fateha.

He, along with other Rangers officials, presented a salute and prayed for the progress and prosperity of the country and its people.

Chief Minister Justice Halepota also laid a floral wreath at the Mazar and paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation. Speaking on the occasion, he said that Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah gave the Muslims of subcontinent a separate homeland. He the goal had been achieved because of his dynamic leadership and long struggle.

“Today we are living with dignity in a free country and our next generations would also continue to enjoy this freedom,” he said, adding that the best way to pay homage to the Quaid was to follow his principles.

Quaid’s belongings on display