KARACHI, Dec 25: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday visited the mausoleum of Qauid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah to pay his homage to the Father of the Nation whose vision and untiring efforts culminated in the creation of Pakistan.

The president laid a wreath on the grave of the Quaid-i-Azam and offered Fateha.

Spokesperson for the president Senator Farhatullah Babar said that on the occasion the president reiterated his pledge to continue to work for Pakistan as envisaged by the founder of the nation and urged the people to forge unity in their ranks and rededicate themselves to the ideals and principles upheld by the Quaid-i-Azam. The president said the birth anniversary of the visionary leader was an occasion for all to rededicate themselves to democratic ideals and principles as championed and pursued by him.

He said the need for reiterating the pledge to those noble ideals was never as great as it was today as when the nation was fighting an enemy who was posing threat to its existence and wanted to impose its narrow agenda through the barrel of gun. “Let us re-pledge today to fight to the finish the demons of extremism and militancy that seek to strike at the foundational principles of Pakistan of democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law,” the president said.

In the visitors’ book, the president wrote: “It is a great honour to visit the Mazar-e-Quaid and pay homage to the Father of the Nation. We pledge today to uphold the democratic values for which Pakistan was created. I call upon the people to join hands in fighting the mindset that is seeking to destroy our nationhood and democracy. May the soul of the Quaid rest in eternal peace. (Ameen).”

Ibad, Qaim, Bilawal

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Tuesday visited the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah to pay homage to the founder of Pakistan.

They laid wreaths on the Quaid's grave and offered Fateha.

Later, Mr Bhutto-Zardari also marked his impressions in the visitors' book.

Talking to the media on the occasion, Dr Ishratul Ibad stressed the need to follow the principles of the Quaid-i-Azam to cope with the challenges being confronted by the country.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah on the occasion said the government would continue to serve the people.

Change of guard

A contingent of Pakistan Military Academy Kakul took over guards' duties at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on Tuesday.

Commandant of Pakistan Military Academy Kakul Major- General Sadiq Ali, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, laid a wreath on the Quaid's grave and offered Fateha.—Agencies