Jinnah Mausoleum-Mazar-e-Quaid
Have
your ever visited Karachi? If yes you will be aware of this beautiful building
situated in the heart of Karachi city. This is Mazar-e-Quaid; in Urdu language
the word Mazar is used for Mausoleum and the word Quaid means leader. So
Mazar-e-Quaid means the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a great
leader who was the founder of Pakistan.
Pakistan
came into existence in 1947 after partition from India in result of constant
struggle of Muslims under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah based on two
nation theory presented by Allama Dr. Muammad Iqbal (a great poet and philosopher
of the East).
The building of
Mazar-e-Quaid, completed in 1960s has been known all over the world as an ionic
symbol of Karachi city in Sindh province of Pakistan.This building is
surrounded by a beautiful vast public park covering 53 hectors area in the
heart of an over populated metropolitan city of Pakistan. This is why the
location is calm and tranquil where you can feel constant sea breeze making a
person relaxed.
Being constructed over an
elevated place and presence of good lighting system, the tomb can be seen
glowingly for miles at night. Khan Liaquat Ali Khan the first Prime Minister of
Pakistan and Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah the sister of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali
Jinnah are also buried besides Mausoleum of Jinnah. The location is well known for every
Pakistani national, where civil and Military Official visit and wreath ceremonies
are held at all prominent occasions like Pakistan Day (23rd March) Independence
Day (14 August), Pakistan Defense Day (06 September), Quaid’s Birth Day (11th
September) and Death Anniversary of Quaid Azam (25 December) each year. Foreign
dignitaries, delegations, diplomats and officials also visit the location on different
occasions.
Pakistan
Army, Pak Navy and Pakistan Air Force perform ceremonial duties at Jinnah Mausoleum
throughout the year on four monthly rotations. Pak Army takes over ceremonial
duties from January to April, Pak Navy from May to August and Pakistan Air Force
from September to December according to their inter services seniority. An impressive parade for Change of Guard
Ceremony is held after each four months on 1st January, 1st
May and 1st September to hand over/ take over the duties within Pakistan
defense services for next four months. The ceremonial guards wearing ceremonial
dress with full medals remain standing to perform ceremonial duties at
Mazar-e-Quaid round the clock. Jinnah Mausoleum is officially recognized as
National Mausoleum of Pakistan.