LAHORE, April 20: Speakers at a meeting held on Tuesday paid rich tributes to Allama Iqbal for awakening the Muslims of the subcontinent who marched together to independence.

The meeting was held by Nazaria-i-Pakistan Foundation and the Pakistan Movement Workers Trust to observe the 66th death anniversary of poet Mohammad Iqbal falling on Wednesday.

Former chief justice Dr Nasim Hasan Shah said Allama Iqbal awakened the Muslims to realize their mission and make efforts for their independence under the leadership of the Quaid-i-Azam.

He said Pakistan was achieved after great sacrifices offered by the Muslims, and the people should not lose hope due to various crises the country was passing through.

Dr Shah said he remembered the Muslim League sessions and meetings held in Lahore, particularly the one held in 1940 at Minto Park (now Iqbal Park) when the Quaid-i-Azam had hoisted the Muslim League flag before starting the historic session which adopted the Pakistan resolution.

He said the Quaid had impressed the Muslims, particularly the youth, to continue their efforts for their independence with great zeal and never get disappointed with the hardships on the way.

Allama Ahmad Ali Kasuri in his paper on "Iqbal's message for the youth" said his message was that they should never get discouraged by the difficulties and hard times and they should seek guidance from the holy Quran. Further, Iqbal wanted the youth to study the achievements of their heroes to know what was the secret of their success.

Former IGP Sardar Muhammad Chaudhry said Allama Iqbal had infused a new spirit in the youth through his poetry that had a revolutionary message for them. Iqbal's message had united the scattered and disorganized Muslim community of India that marched ahead under the Quaid's leadership to achieve Pakistan.

He regretted that the nation had forgotten the message of Iqbal and the Quaid. Dr Rafiq Ahmad said the youth of Pakistan had great responsibility not only to secure its defence but also to make it a progressive and strong country. In this connection they could seek guidance from Iqbal's message, particularly from his message of self-reliance and self-realization, which he described as khudi.

He said Iqbal had also suggested to form a youth league to undertake social welfare projects and create realization among the Muslims to get education and training in various skills and arts to make their economic position better.