PM Sharif Says Iqbal’s Thought Guarantees Peace and Progress, Marks 150th Anniversary Year

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid rich tribute to Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the thinker of Pakistan and poet of the East, on his 149th birth anniversary. He said Iqbal’s thought advocates peace, social harmony, tolerance and justice for sustainable national development, and that Iqbal’s philosophy of life rejects hatred, extremism, sectarianism and discrimination.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the media wing of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister said Allama Iqbal awakened political consciousness among the Muslims of the subcontinent so that they could recognise their distinct national identity, and that this awareness of a distinct identity played a key role in the struggle to achieve a homeland.

He said Allama Iqbal was a personality of high qualities, and that the ideas of a philosopher and statesman of his stature are a source of intellectual openness and mental growth for all young people and future generations. Iqbal, he said, discussed the intellectual dimensions of Islamic teachings, and his Islamic ideas provide practical guidance to Muslims.

150th Anniversary Programme

Shehbaz Sharif said the government will observe the 150th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal from today until 9 November next year. The government is formally launching a year-long special programme of national and international events, including international conferences, academic and research discussions, literary festivals, exhibitions, educational competitions and cultural activities. The aim of these events is to pass Iqbal’s intellectual legacy on to new generations.

He said the government is committed to ensuring that Iqbal’s thought plays an active role in educational institutions, national debates and development priorities.

The Prime Minister said Allama Iqbal had exceptional faith in the younger generation and regarded young people as the architects of the nation’s future. He said Iqbal’s concept of the shaheen, the falcon, embodies courage, self-reliance, high aspiration and the determination to achieve excellence.

He said Iqbal’s message of Muslim unity, universal brotherhood and peaceful coexistence remains extremely relevant today, and that Pakistan, guided by Allama Iqbal’s intellectual leadership, will continue to support unity and solidarity among the Muslim Ummah and the peaceful resolution of international disputes.

The Prime Minister said: “Come, let us renew our pledge that we will make the understanding of Iqbal’s message, serious scholarly research on it and encouragement of creative thought a means of strengthening our national character.”