ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (APP):Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Sunday inaugurated the year-long national and international celebrations of Allama Muhammad Iqbal's 150th birth anniversary at his mausoleum in Lahore, organised by the Iqbal Academy Pakistan. The minister, who is also President of the Iqbal Academy Pakistan, formally launched the celebrations by cutting a ribbon at the mausoleum and paid tribute to the national poet. Addressing …
Khichi inaugurates year-long celebrations ahead of Allama Iqbal’s 150th birth anniversary
ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (APP):Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Sunday inaugurated the year-long national and international celebrations of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s 150th birth anniversary at his mausoleum in Lahore, organised by the Iqbal Academy Pakistan.
The minister, who is also President of the Iqbal Academy Pakistan, formally launched the celebrations by cutting a ribbon at the mausoleum and paid tribute to the national poet.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony at Iqbal Hall, Khichi said the 150th birth anniversary celebrations marked an important occasion in Pakistan’s national, educational and cultural history.
Khichi said the government would organise various educational, literary and cultural programmes at national and international levels from November 9, 2026, to November 9, 2027.
The minister said promoting Allama Iqbal’s teachings, protecting national heritage and introducing the younger generation to his message were among the government’s main priorities.
Former Senator Waleed Iqbal, speaking on the occasion, said Allama Iqbal’s message remained relevant today and continued to guide people in their personal and collective lives.
He stressed the need to introduce the younger generation to Iqbal’s message of self-belief, confidence and continuous struggle.
Director General of the National Language Promotion Department Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar paid tribute to Allama Iqbal’s literary and educational services.
Khichi said Iqbal had made valuable contributions to Urdu and Persian poetry and his writings continued to offer lessons about human dignity, knowledge and action.
He also stressed the importance of research, translations and encouraging young people to study Iqbal’s poetry and ideas.
Dr Abdul Rauf Rafiqi thanked the guests and participants and said the Iqbal Academy Pakistan would continue its efforts to preserve and promote Iqbal’s literary and intellectual work through research and publications.
Former Senator Waleed Iqbal, Dr Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, Pro-Chancellor of Tameer-e-Nau University Balochistan Hafiz Muhammad Tahir and educationist Prof. Noor-ul-Amin Yousafzai from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attended the ceremony as guests of honour.
Meanwhile, the Iqbal Academy Pakistan also organised an international Iqbal conference, poetry competitions, a Mushaira and musical programmes based on Iqbal’s poetry at Hazuri Bagh and Iqbal Hall on November 8 and 9 as part of the celebrations.
