News

A three-day extravaganza to celebrate 144th birthday of the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah formally began on Monday at his alma mater, the Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU).
Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Law, Environment and Coastal Development, Barrister Murtaza Wahab opened the celebrations at the Inner Courtyard of the University’s historical building.
Addressing the students, faculties and guests, Barrister Murtaza Wahab said Quaid-e-Azam had always been his ideal and an irreplaceable role model.
He said during his school days he had frequently read about the Sindh Madressatul Islam where the Quaid had received his initial education; and it was a great honour for him to address its students and faculties in the heart of that stunning historical building.
He said: “It is a huge honour for me that I am speaking in this building in front of you all.”
He said it was not that simple that led to the creation of Pakistan as this country was the product of a long and enduring struggle by Quaid-e-Azam and his companions.
“Now, it is our duty to serve this country by showing great character and ensure that it gets a dignified place among the comity of nations,” Barrister Wahab said.
He said it was not possible to make Pakistan a great nation until we play a positive role in making that happen.
He said he was also born on Dec25; and it was inspiration from the Founder of the Nation that he chose to become a lawyer and did bar-at-law from Lincoln Inn, the same institution where Founder of Pakistan did his bar-at-law and chose to enter into politics to serve his people.
“We have got this country after rendering huge sacrifices; thus, now this is our obligation and duty to take this country forward in light of the philosophy and teachings of Quaid-e-Azam,” he said.
He added former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was another leader who gave his people the country’s first consensus constitution in 1973 in which everyone had been given equal rights along with the right to take part in politics with full freedom of expression.
He said being a young politician, he was contented and proud that ‘we are taking this country forward in positive direction’.
“We will have to resolve today that we need a country where rule of the law is supreme and we should strive for a Pakistan which gives true reflection of its constitution,” he added.
He lauded the role of Vice Chancellor of SMIU Dr. Muhammad Ali Shaikh for establishing a good tradition by holding a three-day event celebrating Quaid-e-Azam’s birth anniversary.
Such actions will play a huge role in making our young generation to know the teachings of Quaid-e-Azam with its true essence, said Barrister Wahab.
Vice Chancellor, SMIU, Dr. Muhammed Ali Shaikh, said it was a huge honour for the university to celebrate 144th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam two days before December 25. He said Quaid-e-Azam had made Pakistan an ideal country in light of the principles he held dear in his life.
He said the Quaid had constructed the country by keeping all aspects of life. After 72 years to the creation of Pakistan, Dr. Muhammed Ali Shaikh said, this is need of the hour to make Pakistan a country as Quaid-e-Azam had envisioned it.
He said the three-day programme to celebrate Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday was a humble effort by the SMIU.
Dr. Shaikh said Quaid-e-Azam had received education from SMIU, but, he also bequeathed one-third of his assets to his alma mater.
“This makes us true heir to the Quaid, thus, the debate how to build Pakistan in light of the vision of Quaid-e-Azam should start from his alma mater,” said Dr. Muhammed Ali Shaikh.
Human rights activist Ansar Burney, speaking as a guest speaker, said Quaid-e-Azam had created Pakistan to ensure that everyone got justice to his doorstep.
“This country has been created after rendering massive sacrifices. Unless we follow the teachings of Quaid-e-Azam in true essence, we cannot make it a welfare state.”
He said in light of the Quaid’s teachings, the minorities in Pakistan should be given equal status.
Later, Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated the exhibition of paintings and photography created by the SMIU students.
Besides, panel discussions on variety of topics was held in which students took part and expressed their views.