Speakers at a function organized here by the Pakistan Repatriation Council paid rich tributes to poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal and called on Pakistan government to establish a university and carry out research on Iqbal’s poetry and philosophy.

The meeting adopted resolutions calling for the establishment of Allama Iqbal Research University. It also called on Pakistan government to restart the repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh and press the UN to implement the resolution for plebiscite in Indian Kashmir. The meeting also urged Islamabad to assign its high commissioner in Dhaka to look after the interests of 250,000 Pakistanis confined to camps across Bangladesh.

Dr. Irfan Hashmi, president of Majlis-e-Iqbal, said Iqbal gave a vision to the Muslims of the sub-continent through his poetry and inculcated in them the determination to carve a separate homeland.

He said unfortunately we did not adhere to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and also failed to achieve the true objectives of Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam’s missions. Hashmi said had we paid heed to Iqbal’s message we would not have let Pakistani nationals languish in Bangladesh camps.

Another speaker Shamsuddin Altaf said it is important that Iqbal’s message is followed to bring about constructive change in our society and at the national level.

Choudhry Riaz Ghumman said Iqbal’s role in the creation of Pakistan was pivotal. He also taught how Muslims could run the affairs of the state while following the tenets of Islam. He said the issues of Kashmir and stranded Pakistanis would not have cropped up if we had adhered to the teachings of Iqbal and acted accordingly.

Sheikh Mohammad Luqman said we talk about Iqbal’s dream that led to the creation of Pakistan, but we forgot his message that divided us in ethnic and religious groups.

Urdu writer Mohammad Amanatullah hoped the present government in Pakistan will resolve the stranded Pakistanis’ issue.

Hamid Islam Khan said as we remember Iqbal we also remember those who sacrificed everything for Pakistan and still languishing in camps in Bangladesh.

PRC convener Ehsanul Haque said, “It is our duty to renew our commitment to fulfill the dreams of Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state.”

He said the true message of Iqbal should be conveyed to our young generation so that they understand the real objective of the creation of Pakistan.

Community members Mohammad Akram Agha and Choudhry Mohammad Iqbal also spoke on the occasion. Syed Mohsin Alavi, Abdul Qayyum Wasiq and Zamurrad Khan Saifi recited poems and paid tribute to Iqbal. PRC’s General-Secretary Abdul Qayyum Wasiq conducted the program.