PROVINCE REPORT
ISLAMABAD: A two-day International Iqbal Conference, jointly organised by Women University Mardan and the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) on the theme “Iqbal’s Thought and Global Affairs,” concluded successfully with prominent diplomats, vice chancellors, scholars, researchers and intellectuals highlighting the universal significance of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s philosophy.
Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Atajan Movlamov, said that organising the conference reflected Pakistan’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage. He observed that Iqbal’s thought and philosophy served as a guiding light for all humanity and appreciated efforts to promote his teachings internationally.
Vice Chancellor of Women University Mardan, Prof. Dr. Razia Sultana, said Iqbal was not merely a poet of one era but a poet for all ages, whose message was meant for the entire world. She thanked the distinguished guests, ambassadors, academics and researchers for their participation and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to promoting academic and literary activities.
Director General of the National Language Promotion Department, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, highlighted Iqbal’s prominent position among highly educated leaders of the political world. He said Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had received the highest standards of modern education available in their time and inspired future generations to pursue knowledge and excellence. He stressed that wealth and resources could be lost, but knowledge and capabilities remained valuable assets.
Vice Chancellor of Mianwali University, Prof. Dr. Nadeem Sheikh, emphasised the importance of promoting Urdu as the national language and ensuring that younger generations retained the ability to read and write it.
Other speakers, including Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Shahid, Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir of Government College University for Women, Sialkot, and Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad Warraich of FC College, Lahore, highlighted the importance of understanding and implementing Iqbal’s philosophy in everyday life.
Prof. Dr. Ali Kamil Qazilbash, Prof. Dr. Humaira Ashfaq, Prof. Dr. Saad S. Khan, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram Chishti and renowned poet and intellectual Muhammad Izhar-ul-Haq also discussed the economic, social, moral, educational and international dimensions of Iqbal’s thought.
The speakers unanimously emphasised that Iqbal’s message transcended geographical and historical boundaries and offered guidance for humanity through his teachings on peace, harmony, human welfare and intellectual development.
On the second day, parallel research sessions were held in Hall A and Hall B, where scholars and researchers from various universities presented papers on different aspects of Iqbal’s philosophy. The sessions featured contributions from Dr. Uzma Liaquat, Dr. Asma Asghar, Prof. Rashida Ghazi, Dr. Anthel Zia, Dr. Altaf Yousafzai, Prof. Dr. Rafiq-ul-Islam, Dr. Arifa Iqbal and other researchers.
The concluding ceremony featured the presentation of honorary shields to distinguished guests, keynote speakers, session chairs and contributors, while certificates were awarded to research paper presenters and participants.
