President, PM urge nation to follow Allama Iqbal’s vision for united Pakistan

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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in their separate messages on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal on November 9, urged the nation to seek guidance from the visionary poet of the East to build a united and progressive Pakistan.

President Zardari called upon the people to affirm their commitment to Iqbal’s ideals and principles for a bright national future. “As we honor his remarkable legacy, let us draw strength from his life and philosophy to work collectively for a prosperous, peaceful and harmonious Pakistan,” he said.

He said that Iqbal’s vision awakened the spirit of freedom and self-determination among the Muslims of the subcontinent, adding that his address to the meeting of the All India Muslim League in 1930 laid the foundations of an independent nation.

“Iqbal’s legacy goes beyond his literary works such as Asrar Khadi, Romoz-Bekhdi and Bang e Dara, which explore issues of identity, spirituality and freedom,” the president said, adding that his ideas continue to shape Pakistan’s national identity.

President Zardari prayed that Iqbal’s vision may guide the nation in its collective effort for development and inspire generations.

In his message, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that in the light of Iqbal’s thought, the government is committed to provide education that not only offers livelihood but also develops intellect and character.

He described Iqbal as “a spiritual and intellectual force who lit a candle of light in the darkness of slavery and gave a message of self-reliance to a nation in the midst of despair.”

“Allama Iqbal taught that faith, knowledge and action are the pillars on which a living nation builds itself,” the prime minister said, adding that Iqbal’s philosophy still provides guidance in national and global affairs.

He said the government has launched several programs, including Uran Pakistan, to provide modern education, skills and employment opportunities to the youth, who, according to Iqbal, are the nation’s architects and “falcons of the future”.

Highlighting Iqbal’s vision of unity, Shehbaz said: “Today the world needs Iqbal’s message of brotherhood instead of communalism, love instead of hatred, and justice instead of force.”

He concluded that Iqbal’s ideas should guide Pakistan’s policies and collective life so that the country could “become the Pakistan of Iqbal’s dreams – where knowledge, action, love, tolerance, peace and justice prevail.”

Meanwhile, a ceremonial change of guard ceremony was held at the Iqbal Tomb. Commander Central Punjab, Pakistan Navy, Rear Admiral Sohail Ahmed Azmi was the chief guest of the program. He inspected the troops of Pakistan Rangers Punjab and Pakistan Navy during the ceremony.

After the inspection, trained personnel of the Pakistan Navy took over the duties of ceremonial guards at the tomb, while the Pakistan Rangers Punjab retired after completing their duties.

Rear Admiral Sohail Ahmad Azmi laid floral wreath at the tomb and paid tribute to Allama Iqbal.

Also, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mohammad Madasir Tipu highlighted the respect and honor accorded to Iqbal in Iran.

Speaking at a program organized by Hose Henry of Iran in memory of Iqbal, Ambassador Tipu said that Iqbal’s ideas not only led to the creation of Pakistan, but also remained a “guiding beacon for Muslims all over the world”.

He emphasized that such cultural programs played an important role in deepening the literary and educational cooperation between Pakistan and Iran.