ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday urged the nation to promote equality and ensure equal opportunities for all citizens, saying Allama Muhammad Iqbal envisioned a society free from discrimination based on wealth, privilege or family background.
In his message marking the 149th birth anniversary of the national poet, President Zardari said Iqbal’s poetry inspired people to recognise their dignity, understand their rights and take responsibility for shaping their future.
He said Iqbal provided intellectual guidance to the aspirations of Muslims in the Subcontinent while also highlighting universal struggles for freedom, equality and a dignified life.
The president noted that Iqbal strongly opposed exploitation, advocated the uplift of disadvantaged communities and emphasised the dignity of hard work.
He said the poet’s vision of an egalitarian society called for a Pakistan where workers received fair wages, farmers benefited from their efforts and every child had access to education and opportunities to progress, irrespective of family background, gender or religion.
Highlighting Iqbal’s philosophy of Khudi (selfhood), President Zardari said individual strength and self-realisation could be achieved through knowledge, hard work, courage and strong character.
He added that recognising one’s own dignity also required respecting the rights and dignity of others, a principle that applied equally to nations.
The president further said national self-respect required Pakistan to make independent decisions, strengthen its domestic capabilities and maintain relations with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
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