Islamabad: The nation is celebrating the 149th birth anniversary of the ‘Father of the Nation,’ Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, today with a renewed pledge to uphold his guiding principles of Faith, Unity, and Discipline. It is a public holiday today.

According to Radio Pakistan, the day began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered at mosques following the Fajr prayer for the departed soul of the ‘Father of the Nation’ and for peace, prosperity, and development in the country.

The national flag has been hoisted atop all public and private buildings. Additionally, Qur’an Khawani and a change of guards ceremony are scheduled at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi. Born on this day in 1876 in Karachi, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah led the Pakistan movement, culminating in the establishment of a separate homeland for Muslims of the Subcontinent.

An impressive change of guard ceremony was held at the Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam to mark the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. During the ceremony, a contingent from the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul assumed the ceremonial guard duties.

Commandant of Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, Major General Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhry, was the chief guest on the occasion. He laid a floral wreath at the Mazar and offered fateha. He also recorded his impressions in the visitor’s book. Earlier, Quran Khwani was held at the Mazar for the departed soul of Quaid-e-Azam.