THE Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) paid tribute to Dr. Allama Mohammad Iqbal — a great philosopher and poet — on his 74th death anniversary in a special program held at a restaurant on April 21. Renowned laureate and Chairman of Majlise Iqbal Dr. Irfan Hashmi said that the reason for detracting from the objective of establishing Pakistan as a true Islamic welfare state is that the nation has deviated from the mission of Allama Iqbal and Quaide Azam. If Pakistanis sincerely adhere to the teachings of Iqbal, they could solve the issues the country faces and make their nation acquire its true position in the world, said Hashmi. Maqboolur Rahman Abbasi of Pakistan Journalists Forum praised PRC for organizing the national event. He said that Iqbal's message of self-confidence (khudee) can bring change in the national policy and Pakistan will be able to donate instead of borrow from the International Monetary Fund. He urged for PRC to ask all political parties to include the issue of stranded Pakistanis in their agenda prior to election. Mohammad Nawaz Janjua, coordinator of the Pakistan Welfare Society, said that the media should positively portray Allama Iqbal and other national heroes. Engr. Rasheed Chishti of the Pakistan Saraiki Forum said that they need to generalize the message of Iqbal and make education available for everyone in their country. “We need to follow Iqbal's teachings on individual and national levels,” said Gulab Khan of Urdu Markaz. Community leaders Hamid Islam Khan, Shamsuddin Altaf, Tariq Mahmood, Syed Shahabuddin not only praised Iqbal's poetry but also acknowledged him in awakening the Muslims of the sub-continent to seek a homeland for themselves. Ehsanul Haque thanked community leaders, journalists and poets in paying tribute to Allama Iqbal. He said they need not only remember Iqbal and Azam, but also strive to carry their missions. Renowned poets Syed Mohsin Alavi, Abdul Qayyum Waseq and Zamurrad Khan honored Allama Iqbal with their poetry. __
