Allama Doctor Muhammad Iqbal’s 138th birthday is being celebrated today with great enthusiasm.
The philosopher poet is one of the founders of Pakistan. Various literary, educational, political, social and cultural organisations have chalked special programmes to pay homage to the national poet.
Pakistan Academy of Letters Islamabad is organising a function in connection with Iqbal Day today. Renowned poets, literary persons and intellectuals will participate in the function.
AIWAN-E-SADR REMEMBERS IQBAL
A special ceremony will be held here at Aiwan-e-Sadr today to mark Iqbal Day.
President Mamnoon Hussain will address the special ceremony. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Chairman Higher Education Commission, renowned expert in Iqbaliyat Prof. Dr. Tehseen Firaqi, Director Iqbal Academy Ahmed Javed, Chairperson Zafar Ali Khan Chair, University of the Punjab Dr. Zahid Munir Amir and Executive Director National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Zulfiqar Cheema would also address the ceremony.
On the occasion, prominent poets would pay glowing tributes to Poet of the East and eminent singers would recite Kalam-e-Iqbal.
Iqbal Day is being celebrated on the direction of President Mamnoon Hussain and similar functions would be organised in the future as well to mark the days of other national figures.
RENOVATION OF IQBAL MANZIL IN FULL SWING
Meanwhile, the repair and renovation work of Iqbal Manzil, the birthplace of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, is in full swing, while most of the work on the second storey of the historic building has already been completed.
Official sources told reporters on Sunday that Punjab Archaeology department had set aside Rs 13.7 million for the repair and renovation work.
Under the programme, special attention has been focused on maintaining originality of Iqbal Manzil aimed at protecting it from further damage caused by poor sewerage system of the locality.
Special steps had also been taken for the preservation of articles of daily use that belonged to Iqbal. These will be kept in showcases and kept out of the reach of visitors.
In order to provide more facilities to the visitors at this historic house, a library and a reading room has been established and furnished with a large number of books
Similarly, efforts are underway to set up a “Museum” at Iqbal Manzil to display different articles belonging to Allama Iqbal and rare photographs and books written by various authors about the legendary poet.
Meanwhile, literary circles have urged the Punjab government and district administration to take immediate steps for the removal of encroachments around the Iqbal Manzil.
