Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to Allama Muhammad Iqbal on Iqbal Day 2026, marking the poet’s 149th birth anniversary and announcing a year-long programme to honour his 150th year.
Both leaders said Iqbal’s message of unity and peaceful coexistence continued to serve as a guiding beacon for the country. Born in Sialkot in 1877, Iqbal was a poet, scholar and philosopher, and Pakistan’s ideological founder. It was at the Allahabad session of the Muslim League in 1930 that he became the first politician to set out the two-nation theory that led to the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.
November 9 was observed as a public holiday, announced by the federal government last week. A Change of Guards ceremony was held at Iqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore on Monday morning, Radio Pakistan reported.
Iqbal Day 2026: a year of events for the 150th anniversary
The prime minister announced the government will hold a year-long commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Iqbal, culminating on November 9, 2027. A comprehensive programme of national and international events is being formally launched, featuring international conferences, academic and research seminars, literary festivals, exhibitions, educational competitions and cultural activities.
“These commemorative initiatives aim to preserve and transmit Iqbal’s rich intellectual legacy to future generations,” the prime minister said.
He added the government remained committed to keeping Iqbal’s philosophy part of the education system and national discourse.
In his message, the prime minister said Iqbal was responsible for awakening political consciousness among the Muslims of the subcontinent, inspiring them to recognise and assert their distinct national identity. “This consciousness of a separate identity played a pivotal role in their historic struggle for the creation of an independent homeland,” he wrote.
Khudi and the Shaheen
Speaking of Iqbal’s concept of Khudi, or selfhood, the prime minister said it taught that individuals and nations can transform their destinies through self-realisation, purposeful endeavour and spiritual emancipation.
He said Iqbal had regarded youth as architects of the nation’s future. “His concept of the Shaheen, the falcon, embodies courage, independence, lofty aspirations and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.”
The prime minister said Iqbal’s thoughts spoke of peace, social harmony, tolerance and justice as indispensable pillars of sustainable national development. “His philosophy of life categorically rejects hatred, extremism, sectarianism and discrimination.” He added that Iqbal’s message of Muslim unity, universal brotherhood and peaceful coexistence held relevance at the international level, and Pakistan will keep working for unity among the Muslim world and the resolution of international disputes.
President urges youth to learn from Iqbal
President Zardari also spoke of Iqbal’s role in developing political consciousness among the Muslims of the subcontinent. He urged the country’s youth to take inspiration from Iqbal’s poetry as a catalyst to boost the spirit of inquiry and develop critical faculties.
“Iqbal gave intellectual direction to the aspirations of the Muslims of the Subcontinent. His poetry also spoke to a wider human struggle: the pursuit of freedom, equality and a life of self-respect,” a statement from the president’s office quoted him as saying. He added that Iqbal envisioned a society in which wealth, privilege and inherited status would no longer determine a person’s worth or opportunities, and that his poetry sought to challenge exploitation, awaken the poor and uphold the dignity of labour.
President Zardari stressed that Iqbal’s vision called for building a Pakistan where the worker receives a fair wage, the farmer enjoys the fruits of his labour, and every child can learn and advance, regardless of family circumstances, gender or faith.
He added that Iqbal’s vision had gained renewed significance as the region looked towards the dawn of an Asian century, whose promise must reach beyond economic growth to freedom from hunger, access to knowledge and opportunity, and respect for the sovereignty of nations.
The president urged the youth to translate Iqbal’s concept of Khudi into confidence rooted in knowledge, national self-respect into hard work to transform Pakistan into a developed and strong nation, and the ideal of equality into justice in everyday life. “This is how we can honour Iqbal and fulfil the promise of Pakistan.”
The focus on youth and education runs through the tributes. Twenty-three science students were honoured by the Higher Education Commission this month, and Punjab is setting up school secretariats in three regions. In Lahore, where the mausoleum stands, the historic railway station is being restored and the city topped the world pollution ranking on Monday.
Frequently asked questions
Whose birth anniversary is marked on Iqbal Day?
November 9 marks the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, born in Sialkot in 1877. Monday was his 149th birth anniversary.
What did the prime minister announce?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a year-long commemoration of Iqbal’s 150th anniversary, culminating on November 9, 2027, with international conferences, seminars, literary festivals, exhibitions, educational competitions and cultural activities.
What ceremony was held in Lahore?
A Change of Guards ceremony was held at Iqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore on Monday morning, Radio Pakistan reported.
What is Iqbal’s concept of Khudi?
Khudi means selfhood. The prime minister said it teaches that individuals and nations can transform their destinies through self-realisation, purposeful endeavour and spiritual emancipation.
What did President Zardari ask of the youth?
He urged young people to take inspiration from Iqbal’s poetry to boost the spirit of inquiry and develop critical faculties, and to turn Khudi into confidence rooted in knowledge.
