LAHORE: The 134th birth anniversary of great poet and philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal was celebrated here on Wednesday with great zeal and enthusiasm.
The day-long programmes started with special prayers for the unity, prosperity and solidarity of the country and for liberation of held Kashmir in different mosques of the city.Several social, cultural and literary organisations held special functions to pay rich tributes to the great philosopher and Poet of the East.A smartly turned out Pakistan Navy contingent assumed guard duties at the Mausoleum of Allama Iqbal at an impressive ceremony. The contingent of Pakistan Rangers, which performed guard duties at the Mazar round the year also took positions along side.
A large number of schoolchildren and general public who thronged the mazaar to pay homage to the man, who first visualised the concept of separate homeland for the Muslims of sub-continent.Punjab Governor Latif Khosa laid a wreath at the Mazaar and offered Fateha.Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif also laid a wreath and offered fateha for the departed soul of Allama Iqbal. Interior Minister Rehman Malik was prominent among others who visited Mazaar-i-Iqbal and offered Fateha.Newspapers brought out special supplements highlighting message of the poet, while the electronic media broadcast special programmes and Iqbal’s famous poems and ghazals. – APP
