ISLAMABAD, Nov 8: The nation will celebrate the 126th birth anniversary of poet-philosopher Allama Mohammad Iqbal throughout the country and Azad Kashmir on Sunday in a befitting manner.

The day will dawn with special prayers for the solidarity and prosperity of the country and well-being of the Muslims.

On the occasion, the nation will reiterate their pledge to make Pakistan a modern Islamic welfare state.

The national flag will be hoisted atop the main government buildings and homage will be paid to the national thinker who had conceived the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali have issued separate messages on the occasion.

The Pakistan Television and private TV channels will televise and Radio Pakistan broadcast special programmes highlighting the life, ideas and achievements of Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal.

The newspapers will highlight the contribution of the national poet for the achievement of a separate homeland for the Muslims.—APP