139th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal observed across Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: (APP) The 139th birth anniversary of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was observed with traditional zeal and fervor across Pakistan on Wednesday.
The main event of the day was the prestigious change of guard ceremony held at mausoleum of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal to mark the birth anniversary of the great poet-philosopher who dreamt of a separate homeland for Muslims of the Sub-continent.
A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy clad in immaculate whites, assumed ceremonial guard duties with traditional spirit and enthusiasm.
Contingents of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Rangers formed outside the mausoleum and took positions alongside where both the outgoing and incoming guards were inspected by the Station Commander (Navy) Lahore, Commodore Sajid Mahmood Shahzad.
Marching to the band tunes, the Naval contingent took positions at the four corners of the Mazar. Simultaneously, Rangers were ceremoniously moved out by the officer-in-charge.
The ceremonial guard mounting was followed by floral wreath laying at the Mazar of Allama Iqbal by Station Commander (Navy) on behalf of Chief of the Naval Staff, officers and men of Pakistan Navy.
Later, Station Commander offered Fateha and recorded his impression in the visitors' book.
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited the mausoleum of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
He laid floral wreath at Iqbal's mausoleum, offered Fateha and recorded his impression in the visitors' book.
In Islamabad, Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) organized a colourful cultural show to mark the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
The cake cutting ceremony was held at Iqbal Manzil Sialkot under the auspices of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
People from all walks of life participated in the ceremony and paid homage to the great poet and philosopher Dr Muhammad Iqbal.
A large number of people including the students of different schools and colleges and their teachers visited the Iqbal Manzil.
'Kalaam-e-Iqbal' and speech contests were held at the same venue.
Incharge Iqbal Manzil Sialkot Syed Riaz Hussain Naqvi said several rare pictures of Allama Iqbal and his family were on display alongside 22 letters of Allama Iqbal at Iqbal Manzil.
He said these letters of Allama Iqbal were rare and unrevealed so far. They were written by Allama Iqbal to his family members and friends. He said these letters were donated to Iqbal Manzil Sialkot by some close relatives of Allama Iqbal and his fans in Pakistan and abroad.
"Some rare books on Iqbaliyat and pictures of Allama Iqbal, his parents and family members were also on display," he said.
MPA Ch Muhammad Ikram, Sialkot DCO Dr Muhammad Tufail, ADCG Sialkot Dr Umer Sher Chatta and other people visited graves of Allama Iqbal's parents and other family members at Imam Sahib graveyard Sialkot. They laid floral wreaths and offered Fateha.
A symposium on Iqbaliyat was also held at Government Murray College Sialkot, the alma mater of Allama Iqbal.
Various other events were also held in different cities to pay homage to Allama Iqbal.
