Karachi: A flag-hoisting and cake-cutting ceremony, along with a book exhibition and prize distribution ceremony, was held at the Quaid-i-Azam Academy under the National Heritage and Culture Division, Government of Pakistan, to mark the year-long celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Pakistan’s 80th Independence Day.
Additional Secretary Universities and Boards Department, Government of Sindh, Amir Fazal Awaisi, was the chief guest at the flag-hoisting ceremony.
Professor Muhammad Ali, Professor Abdul Hadi, Quaid-i-Azam Academy’s coordinator Zahid Hussain Abro, Abdul Majid Farooqui, students of various colleges and universities, prominent personalities and a large number of civil society representatives attended the ceremony.
The event was hosted by Asim Niaz Khan and Abdul Majid Farooqui. The ceremony commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran.
In his opening remarks, Zahid Hussain Abro said August 14 was a day of great significance for the nation. He called upon the people to pledge to follow the principles laid down by Quaid-i-Azam and work towards making Pakistan a peaceful, strong and prosperous country.
Chief guest Amir Fazal Awaisi said Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned Pakistan as a welfare and democratic state based on the rule of law, equality and religious freedom.
He said Quaid-i-Azam believed that all citizens should enjoy equal rights and that the law should be applied equally to everyone.
The speakers said Quaid-i-Azam had described corruption, bribery, black-marketing and nepotism as poisonous evils for the nation. They said he had also emphasised modern education and economic self-reliance to enable the country’s youth to play an effective role in national development.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, commemorative shields and Ajraks were presented to the distinguished guests.
Shields and cash prizes were also presented to the winners of the essay-writing competition recently organised by the Quaid-i-Azam Academy for students. Maria Nazakat secured first position, Nageen stood second, while Tashqa Fayyaz secured third position.
Certificates were distributed among all other students who participated in the competition.
