Change of Guard ceremonies held at Mazar-e-Quaid, Mazar-e-Iqbal

Impressive change of guards ceremonies were held at mausoleums of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Quaid-eAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Friday morning. Floral wreaths were laid at the graves of both the national leaders.

In Lahore, Pakistan Army 2-Baloch Regiment took over the charge from Punjab Rangers. And a smartly turnedout contingent of Pakistan Navy Cadets assumed guard duty at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi.

Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited Mazar e Iqbal in Lahore today and laid floral wreath on grave of national poet. In an address, the CM said that the political leadership of the country is remembering today the sacrifices of nation s ancestors.

In Karachi, Chief Minister ( CM) Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad laid wreath at Mazaar-eQuaid as a thanking gesture for an independent country. The CM and the Governor were accompanied by different provincial ministers.

Speaking to the media after visiting the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi, the chief minister said that the Sindh gov- ernment will not accept resignations by the MQM's provincial lawmakers as long as the federal government does not accept them. "The MQM should respect its mandate for the sake of democracy and return to the assembly," he said.

The MQM resigned from all its seats in the Senate, National Assembly and Sindh Assembly on Wednesday in protest against what they describe as a campaign of victimization against them in the ongoing operation in Karachi.

The party, which dominates politics in Pakistan's largest city Karachi, says it has been unfairly targeted in the police and paramilitary crackdown on violence in the city, the Sindh provincial capital.

Earlier, Pakistan Navy's fresh pack accepted responsibilities as guards of the mausoleum. Naval Academy Commandant, Commodore Fawad Ameen Baig was the chief guest of the ceremony. Pakistan Naval College Manora's at least 48 cadets and another 48 sailors paid salute to the Commandant. Fawad Ameed laid wreath and offered fateha at founder's tomb. Later on, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid a visit to Mazar-e-Quaid and offered fateha.