Islamabad, November 8,2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced the launch of year-long national and international celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, beginning on November 9, 2026, and culminating on November 9 next year.
In his message on Iqbal Day, commemorating the 149th birth anniversary of the Poet of the East, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Allama Iqbal for awakening political consciousness among the Muslims of the subcontinent and inspiring them to recognise and assert their distinct national identity, which played a pivotal role in their struggle for an independent homeland.
The Prime Minister described Allama Iqbal as a philosopher of exceptional intellectual stature and profound wisdom, saying that his enduring thought continued to broaden intellectual horizons and contribute to the intellectual development of young people and future generations.
He said Iqbal, as a distinguished philosopher of Islam, explored the profound intellectual dimensions of Islamic teachings, and his philosophy continued to provide meaningful guidance to Muslims in their individual and collective lives.
Announcing the commemorative programme, Shehbaz Sharif said the government was formally launching a comprehensive series of national and international activities, including international conferences, academic and research seminars, literary festivals, exhibitions, educational competitions and cultural events.
He said these initiatives aimed to preserve Iqbal’s rich intellectual legacy and transmit his teachings to future generations.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making Iqbal’s philosophy a dynamic and integral part of educational institutions, national discourse and development priorities. He stressed that intellectual awakening, character-building and collective renewal must remain essential national objectives.
Highlighting Iqbal’s concept of Khudi (selfhood), he said it taught individuals and nations to transform their destinies through self-realisation, purposeful endeavour and spiritual emancipation.
He also recalled Iqbal’s confidence in the youth, whom the philosopher regarded as architects of the nation’s future. His concept of the Shaheen (falcon), the Prime Minister said, symbolised courage, independence, lofty aspirations and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Shehbaz Sharif said Iqbal’s philosophy championed peace, social harmony, tolerance and justice as essential pillars of sustainable national development while rejecting hatred, extremism, sectarianism and discrimination.
At the international level, he said Iqbal’s message of Muslim unity, universal brotherhood and peaceful coexistence remained highly relevant. Guided by Iqbal’s vision, Pakistan would continue to promote solidarity among the Muslim Ummah and support the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
The Prime Minister said Allama Iqbal’s timeless message, rooted in individual, national and universal values, continued to illuminate the nation’s path.
He called upon the nation to renew its commitment to understanding Iqbal’s teachings, promoting rigorous scholarly research into his philosophy, encouraging creative thinking and strengthening national character.
