KARACHI: Pakistan on Monday celebrated with zest the 142nd birth anniversary of the country’s founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah, revered as the Quaid-e-Azam — the “Great Leader.”

The national flag was hoisted at many public and private buildings across Pakistan, including his hometown Karachi.

The day dawned with prayers at Jinnah’s mausoleum in Karachi. A change of guards ceremony was also held.

A number of events, including seminars, debates and exhibitions, were held both at official and civil society levels to highlight life, achievements and different aspects of the personality of Jinnah.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has also paid homage to Quaid-e-Azam, on his 142th birthday, celebrated on Monday by releasing a patriotic song.

The video song features photo of Arfa Karim, Pakistan’s computer prodigy, who died at a very young age. Besides her, the video shows Tahira Qazi, a teacher at Army Public School Peshawar, who sacrificed her life for the sack of Pakistan’s resolve to fight against terrorism.

The clip also shows photos of Moin Akhtar, a legend who had served the entertainment industry of Pakistan, and Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, as the former cricketing heroes.

In their separate messages on the occasion of birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi urged the nation to get united for the noble cause of national progress and prosperity.

The president said the ideal way to pay tribute to Jinnah was not to hesitate from any sacrifice for the development and prosperity of the motherland.

He said the relevance of Jinnah’s teachings and thought is increasing with every passing day as he had given us the golden principles of unity, faith and discipline using his foresight and political acumen.

Abbasi in his message said this day has a special significance for the whole nation because besides paying tributes to the great leader, it is a day to reiterate the resolve for reviving Quaid’s thoughts and move forward with his ideas.

In a tweet, ISPR chief Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor quoted Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa as saying that the Quaid’s vision of human values, social justice, equality and fraternity constituted motivation for creation of Pakistan. “Following the same we can keep Pakistan safe and strong” Bajwa said.