Pakistan observes Iqbal Day to commemorate celebrated poet

The 144th birth anniversary of national poet, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal is being celebrated across the country with national fervour on Tuesday.

The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

Known as Poet of East, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877.

He awakened the Muslims of the Subcontinent through his universal poetry and political acumen by presenting idea of the creation of Pakistan through his historic address at Allahabad in 1930.

Allama Iqbal's address gave a clear direction and separate identity to Muslims of the Sub-Continent to achieve Pakistan.

An investiture ceremony of Change of Guards was held at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal in Lahore this morning.

A contingent of Pakistan Navy assumed the honorary charge of guard at the mausoleum.

Special functions will also be held in schools to commemorate the "Poet of the East."

Allama Iqbal conceived the idea of Pakistan and is, therefore, regarded as one of the founding fathers of the country. His best literary works include Asrar-e-Khudi, Payam- i-Mashriq, Bang-i-Dara, Bal-i-Jibril, Zarb-i-Kalim and Armughan-e-Hijaz.

He passed away in Lahore on April 21st, 1938.

Iqbal’s contribution in Pakistani politics and his ideology on socio-religious areas of Muslim societies are still well acknowledged and read not only in Pakistan but all around the globe.