LAHORE: Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi has stressed the importance of connecting the younger generation with Allama Iqbal’s message at every level and under all circumstances to achieve true success.
Talking to the media here on Sunday,he said the inaugural session of the International Iqbal Conference was being held at Hazoori Bagh.
He said the 150th birth anniversary of Dr.Allama Muhammad Iqbal would be celebrated the following day, with various programs being organized by the federal and provincial governments to pay tribute to the great poet and philosopher.
“Allah Almighty blessed us with a leader in the form of Allama Iqbal,who gave a universal message not only to the Muslims of this region but also to Muslims across the world,” he said.
He said the country’s success was closely linked to Iqbal’s message and its transmission to future generations.
Intellectuals, scholars, media organizations and educational institutions were playing their role in this regard, he said, adding that more programs would be organized to highlight Iqbal’s message.
Responding to a question, the minister said that country’s youth were proving their mettle in various fields of life.
“The youth are our future, and we have full confidence in them. They will follow the teachings of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal,” he said.
He expressed confidence that with the blessings of Allah Almighty,young people would play their role in strengthening the country and earning it international recognition.
The minister also visited the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal and offered Fateha.
Later, addressing the inaugural session of the International Iqbal Conference, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said it was the nation’s responsibility to connect the younger generation with Iqbal’s message at every level and under all circumstances.
“In the past, our educational and intellectual environment was enriched by the works of Saadi and Rumi.
As a result, the younger generation was naturally exposed to their teachings and moral values.
Today, however, there was a gap that needs to be filled. We must make every possible effort to promote Iqbaliyat and use it to bridge this intellectual and moral gap, “he said.
He said he believed that the younger generation had never needed guidance from Allama Iqbal’s poetry and message more than it did today.
“The world and its information are now literally within the palm of our hands. If we fail to connect our youth with Iqbal’s teachings, I do not think our future will be as bright as we hope. The future of our country is closely linked to our connection with Iqbal’s philosophy,” he said.
Recalling his visit to Iran in December under the leadership of Dr. Mazhar, he said they had met intellectuals and religious scholars there and observed their efforts to promote their national thinkers and intellectual heritage.
“We need to establish this connection at the grassroots level. I request the Iqbal Academy to create an environment and opportunities through which our younger generation can develop a stronger association with Allama Iqbal’s philosophy,” he said.
He said Allah Almighty had bestowed upon him the honour of serving institutions associated with the country’s two great national leaders, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
“Our efforts are aimed at ensuring that Allama Iqbal’s message reaches successive generations. Alhamdulillah, we are making every effort to take his message to all parts of Pakistan and promote his poetry and philosophy across the country,” he said.
He acknowledged the full support and patronage of Prime Minister (PM), Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for these initiatives, saying the prime minister had always responded positively to proposals concerning Allama Iqbal and Quaid-i-Azam, particularly those requiring financial support.
He said promoting awareness of the country’s national leaders and their teachings was the foremost responsibility.
The minister said the celebrations marking Allama Iqbal’s 150th birth anniversary provided an extraordinary opportunity to highlight Pakistan’s national cultural identity at the global level.
Iqbal’s Urdu and Persian poetry,philosophical writings and the extensive body of intellectual and research work on his ideas constituted an invaluable part of the country’s national heritage.
He expressed particular satisfaction that the Iqbal Academy Pakistan was playing a central role in planning and organising the historic celebrations.
Since its establishment,the academy has rendered valuable services in editing and publishing Allama Iqbal’s Urdu and Persian works,translating his philosophical writings,promoting research on Iqbal,organizing intellectual and literary events, and establishing national and international academic links.
The institution serves as an important national center of learning and research for preserving Allama Iqbal’s intellectual legacy and familiarizing younger generations with his ideas.
He expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of relevant government institutions, universities and international academic organizations,the Iqbal Academy Pakistan would succeed in transforming these celebrations into an effective and result-oriented movement to promote Iqbal studies and project Pakistan’s cultural and intellectual heritage at the global level.
The minister said that Allama Muhammad Iqbal was among the great intellectual and philosophical figures of the 20th century who profoundly and enduringly influenced human thought, cultural consciousness and national awakening through his poetry and philosophy.
His poetry represents the great intellectual,spiritual and cultural traditions of the East while carrying a universal message that transcends geographical,linguistic and cultural boundaries. Iqbal introduced new intellectual and philosophical dimensions to Urdu and Persian poetry and, through his distinctive poetic style, gave renewed meaning to the concepts of Islamic civilization,Eastern wisdom,spiritual values and human dignity.
His works are not merely a great literary treasure but also a living and dynamic reference to our national identity, cultural heritage and collective consciousness.
Iqbal’s philosophy places fundamental importance on the concept of Khudi (selfhood),love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him),freedom of thought,human brotherhood, Ijtihad (independent reasoning), knowledge and action, creative struggle and cultural self-awareness.
Iqbal Academy Pakistan Director,Dr.Abdul Rauf Rafiqui, Dr Saleem Mazhar, Waleed Iqbal and others also spoke on the occasion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026