Gun salutes and prayers held across the country as leaders reaffirm commitment to faith, unity and discipline
The nation today marks the 149th birth anniversary of ‘Father of the Nation’ Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with a renewed commitment on Thursday to uphold its guiding principles of faith, unity and discipline.
It’s a public holiday today.
The day dawned with 31 gun salutes in the federal capital and 21 gun salutes in the provincial capitals, while special prayers were offered in mosques after the Fajr prayer for the departed soul of the “Father of the Nation” and for the peace, prosperity and development of the country.
The national flag was hoisted atop all public and private buildings, while Quran Khawani and a changing of guards ceremony took place at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi.
Born on this day in 1876, in Karachi, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah led the Pakistan movement that resulted in the establishment of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have renewed their commitment to follow in the footsteps of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the progress and prosperity of the nation.
On the occasion of the 149th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, I join the nation in paying glowing tributes to the founder of our nation.
This day provides an opportunity for collective reflection and renewal of our commitment to the guiding principles of the Quaid – democracy,…
– Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 25, 2025
In their messages on the occasion of the birth anniversary of ‘Father of the Nation’ Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, they said the day is a reminder of the belief and hard work that shaped Pakistan.
The President and Prime Minister said Quaid-e-Azam stood for democracy, justice and equality and these values remain central to our national journey and essential to our progress and maintaining social cohesion and trust.
They urged all Pakistanis, especially the youth, to stick to Quaid’s ideals and contribute to building a peaceful, inclusive and forward-looking Pakistan.
Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Force Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu also paid tributes to the Father of the Nation on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
In their message on behalf of the armed forces, they reiterated their resolve to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and contribute wholeheartedly to national stability, peace and development, in line with the ideals and aspirations of Quaid-e-Azam.
The Armed Forces also extended heartfelt Christmas greetings to the Christian community of Pakistan, recognizing their valuable contribution to the progress of the nation.
Sindh
Several government members visited Mazar-e-Quaid to pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
State Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasser Hussain Shah and other cabinet members laid wreaths at the mausoleum. Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar were also present. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori were also present.
Addressing the media, Governor Tessori said the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam reminded the nation of sacrifice and renewed determination.
He said Jinnah had secured Pakistan through his wisdom and strategy, enabling the nation to live in freedom. He added that the founder left behind guiding principles and national progress was possible if political leaders and youth followed them.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
The thoughts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah continue to guide the nation in today’s challenges, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said.
He said faith, unity and discipline were not mere slogans but the foundation of governance. Pakistan’s ideology, he added, demands a state based on justice, self-respect and public welfare.
Protecting Pakistan’s ideological foundations is the guarantee of national stability, the chief minister said.
Referring to India, Afridi said the rise of extremism in that country showed that the creation of Pakistan was an inevitable historical decision. He said atrocities against minorities, particularly Muslims, remained a pressing issue for global conscience.
He added that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government was determined to make the principles of Quaid-e-Azam a practical part of governance, with transparency, merit and public welfare as top priorities.
Afridi concluded that a state cannot be strong without the rule of law, merit and social justice.
