Lahore (Web Desk): The 142nd birth anniversary of poet of the East and philosopher Hakeemul Ummat Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was celebrated with national zeal and fervor across the country on Saturday.
Various literary, educational, political, social and cultural organisations arranged special programmes to pay homage to the national poet and highlight different aspects of his life and teachings.
Meanwhile, a graceful change of guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in Lahore this morning.
A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy took charge of the guard duties.
Station Commander of Pakistan Navy, Commodore Naimatullah Khan, who was the chief guest of the ceremony, laid floral wreath at the Mazar and offered fateha.
Allama Iqbal conceived the idea of Pakistan and is, therefore, regarded as one of the founding fathers of the country.
His best literary work includes Asrar-e-Khudi, Payam- i-Mashriq, Bang-i-Dara, Bal-i-Jibril, Zarb-i-Kalim and Armughan-e-Hijaz.
In their separate messages on the occasion, President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the nation to follow Iqbal’s message of self-esteem, the Radio Pakistan reported.
They said that Muslims of the Sub-continent would always remain indebted to the great visionary leader for his invaluable services.
They said Allama Iqbal infused a new spirit among the Muslims of the sub-continent, changed their thought process and provided them with a solid ideological foundation to strive for regaining their lost identity.
“The great leader had also envisioned the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent and made remarkable contributions towards understanding the true message of Islam”, they asserted.
President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the nation to pledge on this day to make even greater efforts for the fulfillment of the dream of our forefathers and move forward according to the teachings of Allama Iqbal for the greater good of our society and our beloved homeland.
