ISLAMABAD: The federal government has established a committee to organise grand celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal.

The committee comprises government officials, Iqbal scholars, educationists and researchers.

Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi announced this in his message on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Poet of the East, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

He said that Iqbal Academy Pakistan is playing a central role in this initiative by supporting the establishment of Iqbal research centres across all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. In the first phase, the Iqbal Research and Cultural Complex has already been launched in Sialkot as a hub for research, training and intellectual exchange.

The minister added that the government is taking comprehensive and practical steps to promote Iqbal’s thought both nationally and internationally.

He stated that the solution to today’s global challenges lies in Iqbal’s philosophy, which advocates humanity, selfhood, freedom of thought and universal brotherhood.

Mr Khichi further said that Iqbal Academy Pakistan is implementing a project to translate Allama Iqbal’s works into major international languages.

As part of this effort, Portuguese translations of Iqbal’s books will be launched on November 13 at the Pakistan Academy of Letters, in an event to be attended by the ambassadors of Brazil and Portugal.

He emphasised that preserving and transmitting Pakistan’s cultural heritage, including Iqbal’s philosophical legacy, to future generations is a top priority for the Ministry of Culture. The minister said that through Iqbal Academy and other institutions, the government is working to publish and disseminate Iqbal’s ideas in Urdu so that the new generation can connect with his message of khudi (selfhood) and nation-building.

The minister noted that the government is also incorporating Iqbal’s philosophy into the national education system and policy framework to enable young people to draw inspiration from his teachings on faith, action and perseverance. “Through art, literature and cultural activities, we will inspire the youth in the light of Iqbal’s message of selfhood, freedom, and confidence,” he added.

Mr Khichi said that the ministry aims to revive historical sites, monuments, and cultural centers to keep alive Iqbal’s revolutionary spirit and message of national unity.

He further announced that Pakistan will highlight Iqbal’s philosophy globally through academic conferences, exhibitions, and dialogues in collaboration with universities, research institutions, and scholars worldwide, aiming to bridge intellectual gaps between the East and the West and promote Pakistan’s scholarly and cultural identity.

The minister said that Iqbal’s philosophy of khudi teaches the nation to build a dignified and enlightened Pakistan through faith, hard work and self-confidence. “As a nation, we must embody Iqbal’s vision in our individual and collective lives, for he guided the youth toward knowledge, character and action,” he remarked.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2025