Glowing tributes were paid to poet, philosopher and the conceiver of idea of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal, as his 139th birth anniversary was marked with great enthusiasm on Wednesday. A change of guards' ceremony was held here at Allama Iqbal's mausoleum. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy clad in ceremonial dresses assumed guard duties replacing Pakistan Rangers. Station Commander Navy - Lahore, Commodore Sajid Mahmood Shahzad also laid wreath.
Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana and Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif also visited Mazar-e-Iqbal, to pay respect to great leader. They laid floral wreath over the grave of great poet and offered Fateha. Later, in their comments in the visitor's book, they paid rich tribute to Allama Iqbal for awakening the Muslims of sub-continent through his poetry to struggle for a separate homeland for the Muslims.
Shehbaz in his comments said solution of all problems faced by the country including extremism and terrorism lies in Kalam-e-Iqbal. He said the philosophy of Iqbal has become a symbol of the unity and dignity of Muslim Ummah. A delegation from the alma mater of Allama Iqbal, Government College University Lahore, also visited Iqbal's mausoleum to pay homage to the poet on his birth anniversary.
According to a message received here in Sialkot, there was great rush of the people at Iqbal Manzil - the birthplace of Allama Iqbal. An exhibition of the ancient and rare pictures, books and personal belongings of Allama Iqbal and his family members was also held to pay rich tributes to the great poet.