Quaid-i-Azam’s statue unveiled at Pakistan Embassy in Washington

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh inaugurated the statue during a ceremony attended by members of the Pakistani-American

WASHINGTON: A statue of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, has been unveiled at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington as part of the country’s Independence Day celebrations.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh inaugurated the statue during a ceremony attended by members of the Pakistani-American community, diplomats and media representatives. The statue was donated by the Quaid-i-Azam Foundation of Houston and will remain permanently installed at the embassy.

The unveiling comes as Pakistan prepares to commemorate Jinnah’s 150th birth anniversary later this year, adding historical significance to the Independence Day event.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Sheikh paid tribute to Jinnah’s constitutional struggle and leadership, saying his efforts transformed the vision of Pakistan into reality. He urged Pakistanis, particularly those living abroad, to follow the founder’s guiding principles of “Unity, Faith and Discipline.”

The ceremony opened with the hoisting of Pakistan’s national flag and the national anthem, followed by Quranic recitation and the reading of messages from Pakistan’s president, prime minister and deputy prime minister.

The ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s growing importance in its relationship with the United States. His remarks came alongside a message from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who noted cooperation between the two countries in areas including regional mediation, critical minerals, energy, counterterrorism, cultural heritage, trade and investment.

Pakistan’s role in regional diplomacy has gained particular attention amid efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran, with Islamabad seeking to use its ties with both countries to encourage dialogue.

The event also featured an investiture ceremony for Waqar Ali Khan, who received the President’s Award for Pride of Performance in recognition of his long-standing contribution as a community leader and cultural ambassador in the United States.