LAHORE: The 148th birth anniversary of national poet, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal is being observed across the country with national fervour on Sunday (today).
Known as Poet of East, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877.
He awakened Muslims of Subcontinent through his universal poetry and political acumen by presenting idea of the creation of Pakistan through his historic address at Allahabad in 1930. Allama Iqbal’s address gave a clear direction and separate identity to Muslims of the sub-continent to achieve Pakistan. A change of guard ceremony will be held at Mazar-e-Iqbal in Lahore on Sunday.
However, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari said that Pakistani and Iranian filmmakers can collaborate to produce a world-class film on the life and philosophy of Allama Iqbal.
While speaking at a dinner hosted by the Iranian Consul General, Azma announced that the Punjab government has approved the establishment of Film City, and work on the project will begin soon. The possibility of Iranian collaboration will be formally presented before the Film City Committee. The IDAP has already completed the design for the project, she added.
Azma further said that Iranian investors should consider setting up display centers for Iranian carpets in Punjab, as there is a strong market demand for Iranian carpets in Pakistan. “There are vast investment opportunities in this sector,” she added. The Iranian delegation included Dr Ahmad Noroozi, Director for Overseas Affairs, Abbas Mohammadnejad, Murtaza Shamsi, and Ali Mohammed Nafchi.
From Pakistan’s side, Secretary Information Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, Additional Secretary Culture Muhammad Nawaz, Chairman Alhamra Razi Ahmed, and DGPR Fareed Ahmed were also present. During the event, Minister Bokhari presented shields to members of the Iranian delegation. She also shared that a draft plan for Quran recitation competitions is being prepared for the upcoming Ramadan, which will be shared with the Iranian Consulate to ensure joint cultural collaboration — similar to the joint observance of Iqbal Day.
Azma Bokhari said, “Pakistani producers are eager to create a feature film on Allama Iqbal. Pakistan and Iran can jointly undertake this project as a co-production venture.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ahmad Noroozi, Director for Overseas Affairs, IRIB, said that IRIB owns Iran’s largest and most advanced Film City, equipped with trained professionals and modern facilities.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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