Gun salutes and prayers held across 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 to uphold his guiding principles of Faith, Unity and Discipline on Thursday.
Today is a holiday.
The day dawned with 31 salutes of fire in the federal capital and 21 salutes of fire in the provincial capitals, while special prayers were offered in the mosques after the Fajr prayer for the soul of the late “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 the guard ceremony were held at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi.
Born on this day in 1876, in Karachi, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah led the Pakistani movement that culminated 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 149th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, I join the nation in paying heartfelt tribute to the Founder of our nation.
This day offers an opportunity for collective reflection and renewal of our commitment to the Quaid’s guiding principles: 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 that this day is a reminder of the conviction 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 fundamental to our national journey and essential to our progress and to maintaining social cohesion and trust.
They urged all Pakistanis, particularly the youth, to stand firm on the Quaid’s ideals and contribute to building a peaceful, inclusive and forward-thinking Pakistan.
Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu have also paid tributes to the Father of the Nation on the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
In their message on behalf of the armed forces, they reiterated their determination to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and to contribute wholeheartedly to national stability, peace and development, in accordance with the ideals and aspirations of Quaid-e-Azam.
The armed forces also extended their heartfelt Christmas greetings to the Christian community of Pakistan, recognizing their valuable contributions to the progress of the nation.
Sindh
Several members of the government visited Mazar-e-Quaid to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasser Hussain Shah and other cabinet members laid wreaths at the mausoleum. Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar were also in attendance. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori were also present.
Speaking to the media, Governor Tessori said the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam reminded the nation of sacrifice and renewed determination.
He said Jinnah secured Pakistan through wisdom and strategy, allowing the nation to live in freedom. He added that the founder left behind guiding principles and that national progress was possible if political leadership and youth followed them.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
The thoughts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah continue to guide the nation amidst current challenges, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said.
He said faith, unity and discipline were not mere slogans but the basis of government. Pakistan’s ideology, he added, demanded a state based on justice, self-respect and public welfare.
Protecting the ideological foundations of Pakistan is the guarantee of national stability, the Prime Minister said.
Referring to India, Afridi said the rise of extremism there showed that the creation of Pakistan was an inevitable historical decision. He said atrocities against minorities, particularly Muslims, remain a pressing issue on the global conscience.
He added that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government was committed to making 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.
