Overview
- Pakistan observed a national holiday for Jinnah’s 149th birthday, with a guards-changing ceremony at Mazar‑e‑Quaid led by Major General Iftikhar Hussain Choudhry and Army cadets taking over duties.
- President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute, urging adherence to Jinnah’s democratic, constitutional principles and national unity.
- Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced a Sikh exemption from motorcycle helmet rules due to turbans and raised minority identity cards from 75,000 to 100,000, with directives on cemetery access.
- At a Christmas event, the prime minister vowed that any injustice against a minority citizen would trigger the full force of the law and praised minorities’ contributions to national life.
- UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed completed a one‑day state visit, meeting Pakistan’s leadership and receiving a JF‑17 aerial salute, while airline sources reported plans to resume London flights from March and operate a Manchester service after five years.