ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (NNN-APP) – Pakistan yesterday celebrated the 146th birthday anniversary of its national poet, Muhammad Iqbal, with national fervour.
The philosopher-poet was born in the Pakistani district of Sialkot on Nov 9, 1877, and died on Apr 21, 1938. He is known for his influential efforts through his poetry in the creation of Pakistan on Aug 14, 1947.
To mark Iqbal Day yesterday, a public holiday in Pakistan, a guard change ceremony was held at his mausoleum, in the eastern city of Lahore. A contingent of the Pakistan Navy took over guard duties at the mausoleum, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year.
TV channels and radio stations presented special programmes in connection with Iqbal Day, by highlighting his poetry and thoughts.
On the occasion, Pakistani President, Arif Alvi, praised Iqbal’s role in uniting Muslims through his writings, and emphasised the importance of following his teachings to build a prosperous and empowered nation.
The country’s caretaker Prime Minister, Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, paid tribute to Iqbal and urged the country’s youths to embrace his ideas and teachings, to build a peaceful, tolerant, and fraternal society.– NNN-APP
