Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal visited Iqbal Academy Pakistan in Lahore on Monday. During the visit, Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafiqui, Director of Iqbal Academy, briefed the minister about the academy's various projects and performance.
He stated that the solution to Pakistan’s political and social issues lies within the ideas of Allama Iqbal, and promoting his ideas is crucial to combating extremism. He emphasized that Iqbal's teachings can provide proper guidance to the youth, which can help reduce sectarianism and linguistic divisions within the country.
Reflecting on the early days of Pakistan, he recalled that when the first budget of Pakistan was presented, the country faced severe financial difficulties due to the pressure of refugees. Despite these challenges, the Finance Minister, under the guidance of Quaid-e-Azam, allocated a grant of one lakh rupees in the first budget for the Iqbal Academy, a significant step in safeguarding Pakistan’s intellectual and ideological foundation.
Ahsan Iqbal expressed regret that Pakistan’s political history has witnessed numerous upheavals, which have hindered the continuation of the mission set by the leadership of the Muslim League. He stated that extremism, linguistic divisions, and provincial bias are major consequences of the growing distance from Iqbal’s philosophy in the country.
During the visit, he highlighted the historical importance of Iqbal Academy and its objectives, noting that the establishment of the academy is a crucial effort to preserve Pakistan’s intellectual and ideological foundation. He mentioned that various measures are needed to further enhance the capacity of Iqbal Academy.
Ahsan Iqbal announced the establishment of provincial offices of Iqbal Academy in all provincial capitals, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Additionally, the establishment of an Iqbal Cultural and Research Center in Sialkot was also announced. He emphasized that new educational programs should be introduced to engage the youth in Iqbal’s thought and philosophy.
The Federal Minister further stated that steps will be taken to integrate Iqbal’s teachings into the national curriculum so that the younger generation can become familiar with his philosophy and vision. He emphasized the importance of promoting Iqbal’s ideas not only in Pakistan but also internationally, as part of enhancing Pakistan’s soft power.
Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of promoting Iqbal’s thoughts globally, as they are part of Pakistan’s soft power. He pointed out that Iqbal’s teachings are highly regarded worldwide, with his works translated into over 40 languages. He added that Iqbal’s message is popular not just in Pakistan but across the world. Allama Iqbal is remembered with respect and admiration in many countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, the Middle East, and Malaysia.