Pakistan’s president, PM pay tribute to Allama Iqbal on 88th death anniversary

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday paid rich tribute to Poet of the East and national philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his 88th death anniversary, saying his vision of selfhood, justice and national awakening continues to guide Pakistan toward progress and stability.

In his message, President Zardari said Allama Iqbal’s vision of “Khudi” (selfhood) and social justice remains a guiding force for building a modern, self-reliant and strong Pakistan. He said Iqbal’s thought serves as a beacon for a just, humane and stable social order.

Quoting Iqbal’s message that “a new world comes into being through new ways of thinking,” the president said his philosophy remains relevant for every segment of society.

He noted that for youth, Iqbal called for ambition and disciplined effort; for women, he emphasized a dignified and active role in society; for students, he linked knowledge with character and purpose; and for ordinary citizens, he stressed honesty and self-reliance.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message on the occasion, said the entire nation pays heartfelt tribute to Allama Iqbal, describing him as a great intellectual leader and benefactor of the Muslims of the subcontinent.

He said Allama Iqbal gave the message of selfhood, action, faith and intellectual freedom, which awakened a subjugated nation and inspired confidence, awareness and continuous struggle.

The prime minister said Iqbal’s message carries extraordinary importance in today’s national and global circumstances, particularly amid intellectual confusion, extremism and growing social intolerance. He said there is a need to shape both individual and collective lives in light of Iqbal’s teachings of love, brotherhood and awakening of the Muslim community.

Shehbaz Sharif said a peaceful Pakistan built on unity, knowledge, character, and justice in line with Iqbal’s philosophy is the country’s future. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism, extremism and sectarianism and building a moderate and harmonious society.

Highlighting Iqbal’s special focus on youth, the prime minister said the philosopher considered young people the nation’s real asset and architects of the future. He stressed the need to equip the younger generation with education, skills, character, dignity and patriotism to ensure national development.

He said empowering youth, aligning them with modern skills and strengthening their role in national progress remain key priorities of the government, adding that Pakistan’s young people can lead the country toward stability, development and dignity by drawing guidance from Iqbal’s thought.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute to Allama Iqbal, saying the philosopher gave the Muslim Ummah the message of selfhood, awakening and action, which remains equally relevant today.

He said Iqbal’s central idea was the unity of the Muslim Ummah beyond race, language and ethnicity, adding that his poetry was not merely words but a revolutionary message that awakened Muslims and inspired collective purpose.

Naqvi said in today’s era of division and unrest, Iqbal’s message of unity and selfhood holds exceptional significance, urging the nation to make Iqbal’s ideas part of national policy, priorities and collective thinking.