President Zardari, PM Shehbaz stress equality, national unity on Iqbal Day

• Iqbal's words awakened people to their dignity: President Zardari.
• President Zardari urges youth to use inspiration from Iqbal's poetry.
• PM says Pakistan will continue to champion unity among Muslims.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday called for ensuring equality among all citizens, saying national poet Dr Allama Iqbal envisioned a society where wealth, privilege and inherited status would not determine an individual's worth or opportunities.

In his message on the 149th birth anniversary of Iqbal, the president said the national poet's words awakened a people to their dignity, their rights and their power to shape their own destiny.

"Iqbal gave intellectual direction to the aspirations of the Muslims of the Subcontinent. His poetry also spoke to a wider human struggle: the pursuit of freedom, equality and a life of self-respect," he said.

Iqbal's poetry challenged exploitation, called for the awakening of the poor and upheld the dignity of labour, he added.

According to President Zardari, the national poet had placed ordinary people at the centre of humanity's future, saying Iqbal's vision of an egalitarian society calls upon the nation to build a Pakistan where the worker receives a fair wage, the farmer enjoys the fruits of his labour, and every child can learn and advance, regardless of family circumstances, gender or faith.

Referring to Iqbal's vision of khudi, the president said that it grows through knowledge, effort, courage and strength of character.

"A person conscious of his or her own dignity must also respect the dignity of others. The same principle applies to nations.

"National self-respect demands the capacity to make independent decisions, develop the country's own strengths and engage with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect."

President Zardari urged youth to use inspiration from Iqbal’s poetry as a catalyst to boost the spirit of inquiry and develop critical faculties.

He stressed the need to transform Pakistan into a developed and strong nation, and the ideal of equality into justice in everyday life.

In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government will commence the year-long commemoration of the 149th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal from today, culminating on November 9 next year.

"A comprehensive programme of national and international events is being formally launched, featuring international conferences, academic and research seminars, literary festivals, exhibitions, educational competitions and cultural activities. These commemorative initiatives aim to preserve and transmit Iqbal’s rich intellectual legacy to future generations," he added.

The prime minister maintained that Iqbal awakened political consciousness among the Muslims of the subcontinent, inspiring them to recognise and assert their distinct national identity.

"This consciousness of a separate identity played a pivotal role in their historic struggle for the creation of an independent homeland," he said.

PM Shehbaz said that the government was firmly committed to ensuring that Iqbal's thought remains a dynamic and integral part of the country's educational institutions, national discourse and development priorities.

"Intellectual awakening, character building and collective renewal must, undoubtedly, form an essential part of our national objectives.

"Allama Iqbal's concept of khudi (selfhood) teaches us that individuals and nations can transform their destinies through self-realisation, purposeful endeavour and spiritual emancipation."

Guided by Iqbal’s intellectual vision, Pakistan will continue to champion unity and solidarity among the Muslim Ummah and support the peaceful resolution of international disputes, he said.

The prime minister called for renewing the nation's resolve to deepen the understanding of Iqbal's message, promote rigorous scholarly research into his thought, foster creative thinking and strengthen national character.