ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) on Wednesday dedicated first event at its newly constructed hall to national poet Allama Mohammad Iqbal.

Minister for Federal Education Shafqat Mahmood, speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a five days event, said that it was a great decision to dedicate first event to national poet.

“The hall has been named after Faiz Ahmad Faiz so I am sure that late Faiz’s soul would be glad as he was great fan of Allama Iqbal,” he said.

Grandson of Allama Iqbal, Senator Waleed Iqbal said that Iqbal had stressed on unity, equality and freedom of people.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to inaugurate Kartarpur Corridor because Iqbal had said a number of verses regarding Baba Guru Nanak and highlighted his philosophy,” he said.

He said the government was doing efforts to promote education and literature.

Professor Fateh Mohammad Malik said that poetry of Iqbal was a great source of knowledge. President of Iran had said that Iqbal was their poet.

Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters Dr Inamul Haq Javed said it was the first event in the hall and it was decided to hold event regarding Allama Iqbal.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2019