President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have paid tribute to national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal on the 149th anniversary of his birth. Both leaders credited him with shaping Muslim political awareness and the intellectual foundations of Pakistan. They issued separate messages on Monday.
Iqbal, born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877, is widely known as the Poet of the East. Both leaders pointed to his role in stirring political consciousness among the Muslims of the Subcontinent and encouraging them to recognise their distinct identity.
Prime minister and president stress Iqbal’s vision
In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz said Iqbal’s far-sighted thinking had roused Muslims to their separate identity and lit the way to the creation of Pakistan. He said Iqbal’s concept of Khudi, or selfhood, and the image of the Shaheen, or eagle, kept inspiring self-belief, excellence and national renewal.
Shehbaz said Iqbal’s ideals of peace, tolerance, justice and Muslim unity would continue to guide Pakistan at home and abroad. “On this day, let us all renew our resolve to understand his message deeply and live by it,” he said.
President Zardari praised Iqbal’s poetry for challenging exploitation, calling for the upliftment of the poor and defending the dignity of labour. Shehbaz also said Iqbal’s lasting philosophy continued to widen intellectual horizons and nurture young people and future generations.
Ishaq Dar links Iqbal’s message to identity and youth
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Iqbal had given the Muslims of the Subcontinent a sense of identity, rights and a collective future. In his Iqbal Day message, Dar said the Allahabad Address and the poetry offered a vision of a nation built on selfhood, faith and confidence in its cultural heritage.
Dar said Iqbal saw freedom as a means of building a society based on human dignity, justice and equality. He added that the poet’s philosophy called for confidence in one’s abilities, strong character and a willingness to accept responsibility. Dar also stressed education, research, stronger institutions and self-reliance for Pakistan’s development.
Dar said young people had been central to Iqbal’s hopes and called for providing them with quality education, skills and opportunities. He described Iqbal’s message to the youth as one of lifelong learning, high aspirations and commitment to purpose. Dar noted that Iqbal’s poetry and political vision inspired Muslims, and that his 1930 Allahabad Address gave political direction to the demand for a separate homeland.
Yearlong celebrations and public holiday announced
Prime Minister Shehbaz announced that the government would launch yearlong celebrations marking Iqbal’s 150th birth anniversary from Monday. The commemorations are scheduled to conclude on November 9, 2027.
The government has also declared November 9 a public holiday. Public and private offices, along with educational institutions, will remain closed for the occasion.
