Gun salutes, prayers held nationwide as leaders affirm commitment to faith, unity and discipline
The nation celebrates the 149th birth anniversary of ‘Father of the Nation’ Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah today with renewed pledge to uphold his guiding principles of faith, unity and discipline on Thursday.
It is a public holiday today.
The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute at the provincial capitals, while special prayers were offered in the mosques after Fajr prayer for the departed soul of the ‘Father of the Nation’ and peace, prosperity and development in the country.
National flags have been hoisted atop all public and private buildings, while the Quran Khawani and a changing of the guard ceremony were held at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on this day in 1876 in Karachi and led the Pakistan Movement which culminated in the establishment of a separate homeland for Muslims in the subcontinent.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have renewed their pledge to follow 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 to pay tribute to the founder of our nation.
This day provides an opportunity for collective reflection and renewal of our commitment to the Quaid’s guiding principles – democracy,…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) 25 December 2025
In their messages on the occasion of the birthday 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 that Quaid-e-Azam stood for democracy, justice and equality and these values remain central to our national journey and vital to our progress and maintenance of social cohesion and trust.
They urged all Pakistanis, especially the youth, to uphold the Quaid’s ideals and contribute to building a peaceful, inclusive and forward-looking 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 Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu have also paid tribute to the father of the nation on the birthday of Quaid-e-Ali Jinnah Muhammad.
In their message on behalf of the armed forces, they reiterated their resolve to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to contribute wholeheartedly to national stability, peace and development in accordance with the ideals and aspirations of the Quaid-e-Azam.
The armed forces also extended hearty Christmas greetings to the Christian community in Pakistan, recognizing their valuable contribution to the progress of the nation.
Sindh
Several members of the government visited Mazar-e-Quaid to pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasser Hussain Shah and other cabinet members laid floral wreaths at the mausoleum. Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and Revenue Minister Mukesh Kumar also attended. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori were also present.
Addressing the media, Governor Tessori said that the birthday of Quaid-e-Azam reminded the nation of sacrifices and renewed determination.
He said Jinnah secured Pakistan through wisdom and strategy, which enabled the nation to live in freedom. He added that the founder left guiding principles and that national progress was possible if political leadership and the youth followed them.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s thoughts continue to guide the nation amid today’s challenges, said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
He said faith, unity and discipline were not mere slogans but the basis of governance. Pakistan’s ideology, he added, demanded a state based on justice, self-respect and public welfare.
Protecting Pakistan’s ideological foundation was the guarantee of national stability, the chief minister said.
Referring to India, Afridi said the rise in extremism there showed that the creation of Pakistan was an inevitable historical decision. He said atrocities against minorities, particularly Muslims, remained a pressing issue for the global conscience.
He added that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government was committed to making Quaid-e-Azam’s principles a practical part of governance, with transparency, merit and public welfare as top priorities.
Afridi concluded that a state could not be strong without the rule of law, merit and social justice.
