ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have paid tribute to Allama Muhammad Iqbal on the 88th anniversary of his death, acknowledging his role as a guiding force for the Muslim Ummah. Both leaders highlighted Iqbal’s influence as a poet and intellectual who inspired a subjugated nation.

According to Radio Pakistan, in their separate messages commemorating the occasion, President Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif emphasized Iqbal’s contributions to self-awareness, freedom of thought, and perseverance. President Zardari noted that Iqbal’s poetry offers a vision of society that is rooted in justice, dignity, and human potential. Prime Minister Sharif remarked on the lasting relevance of Iqbal’s ideas in addressing present-day issues such as extremism and social discord.

Prime Minister Sharif also reiterated the government’s commitment to equipping young people with the necessary knowledge and skills, emphasizing the importance of patriotism in overcoming contemporary challenges.