Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, while chairing a meeting on commemorative activities marking the 150th birth anniversaries of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal, as well as the 500th anniversary of the establishment of the Mughal Empire, directed that these historic milestones be transformed into a national campaign to promote historical awareness, cultural heritage and national consciousness among the younger generation.
The Federal Minister emphasized that the commemorative activities should not remain confined to ceremonial events but should serve as a means of fostering national consciousness, intellectual awakening, a sense of responsibility, and a deeper connection among young people with their history and cultural heritage.
The Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed that special activities marking the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah be organized across schools, colleges and educational institutions throughout the country from September to December. These activities should include essay writing, speeches, inter-school and inter-institutional competitions, painting competitions and other creative initiatives based on the sayings and vision of Quaid-e-Azam.
He further directed that the commemorative events should be organized according to international standards, with renowned scholars, historians, educationists and researchers from around the world invited to participate. This, he said, would help highlight the thought and vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal, the struggle for the Pakistan Movement, and the historical and cultural heritage of the subcontinent at the international academic level.
The Federal Minister said that Quaid-e-Azam had risked his life and health to secure an independent homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent. He highlighted the exemplary sense of duty and integrity demonstrated by Quaid-e-Azam’s physicians, who kept his illness confidential at his request during a critical phase of the struggle for Pakistan. Following his diagnosis with tuberculosis in 1946, Dr. Jaal Ratanji Patel and Dr. Jaal Dibo respected his wishes and maintained confidentiality regarding his health. Later, Lord Mountbatten acknowledged that had he known about Quaid-e-Azam’s illness, he might have delayed the process of partition. Professor Ahsan Iqbal said that today’s youth should be made aware of the sacrifices made by Quaid-e-Azam, including the personal sacrifices he made to make the creation of Pakistan possible. He emphasized that it is now the collective responsibility of every citizen to contribute towards Pakistan’s development, prosperity, stability and reconstruction.
Speaking about the 500th anniversary of the establishment of the Mughal Empire, the Federal Minister said that the Mughal Empire ruled the subcontinent for more than three centuries and that 2026 marks 500 years since its establishment. He stressed that the history of the Mughal era should not be presented merely through the lens of rulers and wars, but should also highlight its contributions to local culture, administrative structures, governance, revenue systems, arts, architecture and the broader cultural heritage of the region.
He called for highlighting the positive and enduring aspects of the Mughal period through which the Muslim empire established systems of governance and contributed to the cultural and architectural development of the region.
The Federal Minister directed that a comprehensive documentary be produced covering various dimensions of the Mughal era, including new concepts in architecture introduced in the subcontinent, Mughal contributions to art and architecture, systems of governance, and the historical and cultural heritage of the period. He said the initiative would help the younger generation develop a better understanding of its history, civilization and cultural heritage.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal directed all relevant ministries, departments and institutions to ensure effective implementation of the commemorative activities within their respective domains.
It may be noted that April 21, 1526 is traditionally recognized as the date marking the establishment of the Mughal Empire, when Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. The battle is regarded as the beginning of Mughal rule in the subcontinent, making 2026 the 500th anniversary year of the establishment of the Mughal Empire.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, was born on December 25, 1876. Under his leadership, the Muslims of the subcontinent successfully completed their historic struggle for an independent homeland. Poet of the East and philosopher of Pakistan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, was born on November 9, 1877. His thought and philosophy provided an intellectual foundation for the Muslims of the subcontinent by emphasizing selfhood, national identity and the vision of a distinct political future.
The years 2026 and 2027 mark the 150th birth anniversaries of these two eminent personalities. The Federal Minister emphasized that these historic occasions should be used not merely for traditional commemorative ceremonies, but as an opportunity to present Pakistan’s historical and cultural heritage and its rich legacy to the world, while ensuring that the younger generation remains connected with and informed about its historical roots.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan Television (PTV), Radio Pakistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant institutions attended the meeting.
