Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz extended a warm welcome to international delegates attending the International Iqbal Conference 2024, as announced in a press release. The event was organized by the Government of Punjab in collaboration with the Eco Institute of Culture Tehran and Iqbal Akademi Pakistan. Delegates from countries including Iran, Afghanistan, Egypt, Kuwait, Great Britain, and Spain gathered at the Chief Minister’s House in Lahore.

According to Chief Minister of Punjab, the 31-member delegation, led by Dr. Saad Khan, president of the Cultural Institute of Tehran, was received by Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and Information and Culture Minister Uzma Bukhari. The ceremony commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a presentation of Urdu and Persian poetry by Allama Iqbal. Finance Minister Rehman delivered a message from Chief Minister Nawaz, highlighting Iqbal’s significance to both Pakistan and the Muslim Ummah. He emphasized the Punjab government’s commitment to using Iqbal’s philosophy as a guiding principle for educating the youth and fostering unity.

Dr. Saad Khan expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by Chief Minister Nawaz and noted the cultural exposure provided to international Iqbal scholars. Khan commended the Punjab government’s hospitality and pledged ongoing cultural exchanges. The event was attended by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, federal and provincial officials, and representatives from the Pakistan Iqbal Academy and Bazm-e-Iqbal. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of souvenirs to the delegates and a reaffirmation of support for future cultural initiatives.