ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's top government officials paid tribute on Friday to Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the nation's founder who passed away 78 years ago, calling on citizens to uphold his vision of religious freedom and national unity.
President Asif Ali Zardari outlined Jinnah's vision for religious coexistence.
The president stated that Pakistan was conceived as a nation where Muslims could live peacefully alongside non-Muslim minorities, with all faiths guaranteed freedom of practice and belief.
"This was amply reflected through the words and deeds of the great Quaid and brilliantly expressed in his speech on 11 August, just three days before the creation of Pakistan," Zardari said in a statement released by the President's Office.
PM pays tribute
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Jinnah transformed the political landscape by securing an independent nation for Muslims in the subcontinent despite severe obstacles.
In an official statement, the Prime Minister’s Office stated that Jinnah established Pakistan on Islamic principles grounded in civil and religious liberties, with equal rights for all citizens regardless of faith or background.
"The foundation of the State of Pakistan rests upon Islamic principles, which are based on civil and religious liberties and equal fundamental rights and obligations for all, irrespective of race or creed," PM Sharif said.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah, known as Quaid-e-Azam (Great Leader), passed away on September 11, 1948, less than a year after Pakistan's independence.
PM Sharif said the country’s founder managed major challenges in the nation's early years, including administrative and financial crises, the mass migration of millions of people into the newly formed country, and the creation of a functioning government system.
The prime minister stated that transforming Pakistan into a developed welfare state remains the core objective of Jinnah's political legacy. He said that national progress depends on collective effort from all citizens.
Unity, faith and discipline
Both leaders called on Pakistan to recommit to Jinnah's three foundational principles: unity, faith and discipline. PM Sharif identified national unity, social harmony and economic stability as the appropriate ways to honor Jinnah's memory.
The prime minister said future generations should inherit a country reflecting Jinnah's vision and values. He said Pakistan's well-being could be achieved only through nationwide cooperation and commitment.