March 23 is commemorated as 'Pakistan Day' because back in 1940, it was on this day that the Pakistan Resolution was passed during the 34th annual session of Muslim League. Gathered in Minto Park, Lahore, the members of the Muslim League unanimously demanded a separate homeland for the Muslims of subcontinent. A hard struggle followed and finally on August 14, 1947, Pakistan appeared on the world map.

To commemorate the Lahore Resolution, Minar-i-Pakistan was built in Minto Park, which was later renamed Iqbal Park in recognition of the Poet of the Nation, Dr Allama Iqbal.

In 1960, 13 years after the creation of Pakistan, leaders of the Muslim League asked the authorities to build a memorial of the Lahore Resolution. The then Governor of West Pakistan, Akhtar Hussain appealed to the public and philanthropists to donate funds for the construction of the national monument. The foundation stone of Minar-i-Pakistan (also known as Yadgar-i-Pakistan) was laid on March 23, 1960. The magnificent memorial took eight years to be completed. During this time, on many occasions, the construction of the tower had to be stopped due to non-availability of funds but finally it was completed in 1968 with an estimated cost of Rs500,000.

The tower stands erect in Iqbal Park today. Naseer-ud-Din Murat Khan was the architect of the tower. He was a Pakistani of Russian decent. The base of the tower is at a height of four metres from the ground. It rises up to approximately 12 metres, forming a flower-like base. From this point it tapers as it rises. The base platform is shaped like a five-point star and is surrounded by two crescent-shaped pools. These pools are four feet deep and are decorated with red and green marble.

The approximate height of the tower is 60 metres. The tower is constructed in concrete. The walls and floor are rendered in marble and stone. The lower portion is made of coarse marble, indicating the initial rough days of independence, while the walls and upper portion have smooth marble, showing gradual development and prosperity.
From the base to a height of 181 feet, concrete and steel has been used, while the top 16.5 feet portion is made of stainless steel to prevent corrosion. Inscriptions on the marble slabs of the central shaft include a brief history of the Pakistan Resolution in English, Urdu and Bengali, the 99 Names of Allah and poetic verses of Allama Iqbal.

There are 162 stairs and an elevator to take you to the top of the tower. A panoramic view of Lahore is obtained from the top of the tower, with the Badshahi Mosque clearly visible. The parks around the monument include marble fountains and an artificial lake. It is a recreational point and is often used for holding public meetings.