The nation is celebrating 139th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with zeal and fervour on Friday (today). Born in Karachi on 25th December 1876, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah became Pakistan's first Governor General. In 1913, Quaid joined the Muslim League which had been formed to stand up for the rights of Indian Muslims and Quaid became its president in 1916.
In the morning, change of guards' ceremony would be held at Quaid-e-Azam tomb in Karachi while politicians, officers of armed forces, government officials and renowned personalities would lay flower wreath during the day and a large-number of people from different walks of life would visit his tomb to pay him tribute and remember his services for the country. Seminars, walks, talk shows and discussion would be organised by different government and semi government organisations.
Special programmes would be aired on electronic media while newspapers would publish special edition highlighting the salient features of Pakistan Movement and contribution of great leaders of the country besides throwing light on different aspects of Quaid's lifestyle and his teachings. All commercial and business centres and government and private offices are closed as the day has been declared a public holiday.
Critics believe that Pakistan came into existence due to struggle of Quaid-e-Azam and with the sacrifices of Muslims of the Sub-Continent. They said that Pakistan was created to provide religious freedom and rights to the Muslims of the region. They said the country was facing various issues that could be addressed by following the theory of Quaid-e-Azam. They credited Pakistan's creation solely to founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah's efforts.
"The creation of a free homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent would have remained only a dream without Jinnah," they said, adding: "Quaid never believed in ethnic or religious divides, his vision was above all this." They said Quaid-e-Azam was a man of principle and character. Tolerance and truthfulness are the keys to achieving what Quaid-e-Azam wanted from the nation," they said.