KARACHI - The nation will celebrate the 138th birth anniversary of the founder and the First Governor General of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Thursday.
The national flag will be hoisted at all government buildings throughout the country. The day will dawn with special prayers in mosques for the soul of Quaid-e-Azam and prosperity and development of the country. 31-gun salute and 21-gun salute would be given in Federal Capital and Provinces respectively.
The day has been announced a public holiday in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah along with entire provincial cabinet would witness the change of guard at Quaid’s mausoleum and lay floral wreath on his grave.
Besides them, representatives of defense services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and people from all sections of the society will show up to pay tribute to the Quaid in Karachi.
Furthermore, political, social, cultural and educational organisations had also chalked out programmes to mark the occasion. Radio and television have arranged special programmes on the life, ideals and achievements of Quaid-e-Azam. Qur’an Khwani will be held at the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi and a change of guard ceremony will also be held. Various cultural organisations and educational institutions have chalked out different programmes to highlight the life and political achievements of the great leader.
Meanwhile a meeting was presided over by Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui to review security arrangement of the mausoleum on December 25 were held at his office. The meeting was attended by representatives from law enforcing authorities and municipal services.
It was informed that strict measures were taken for change of guards at the mausoleum at 8:00pm while it would be opened for public at 1:30pm. The public would not be allowed to bring anything inside the mausoleum.
SECURITY PLAN FOR QUAID’S MAUSOLEUM
Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddique chalked out a security plan for the security of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s mausoleum.
The security plan has been chalked out followed by the frequent threats ahead of the attack at Jinnah mausoleum by militant organisations. Commissioner announced to have formed joint security force including police, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary and management of the mausoleum. Siddique took decision in a meeting at his office. He said the close-circuit cameras would be installed across the mausoleum to monitor the suspicious activities and also directed to start the screening of the nearby buildings located in the surrounding of mausoleum. He said that sharpshooters would also been placed at nearby high raise buildings. He said that following the threats, time schedule for the visitors have also been reduced and now visitors could come to visit the mausoleum from 9 am to 5 pm.  He directed to switch on all lights in night and also placed high focus search lights across the mausoleum.
He said that watchtowers would also been constructed in the surroundings and eye to eye guards will be deployed at the towers to monitor the security situation. The progress work at the mausoleum would be started on November 5. DIG East Munir Ahmed Sheikh and Commander Abdullah Shah Ghazi Rangers Colonel Amjad were also participated in the meeting and suggested various proposals for the security arrangements.
In the meeting, it has also been decided to remove all kind of encroachments in the surroundings on immediate bases. Concerned officers assured the commissioner for proper security arrangements. Commissioner vowed that the government will not hesitate while using all resources without any delay for the security of Pakistan national asset. “We have demanded to federal government to visit at mausoleum to make arrangement s further foolproof.”