Lahore, 9 November, 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan is observing the 149th birth anniversary of national poet and philosopher Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal on Sunday, with special ceremonies and events being organised across the country to pay tribute to his contributions to the Pakistan Movement and Muslim intellectual thought. A public holiday has been declared nationwide to mark the occasion. Born on November 9, 1877, in Sialkot, Allama Iqbal was one of the most influential poets, philosophers, writers, lawyers and political thinkers of the 20th century. He received his early education in Sialkot and Lahore before travelling to the United Kingdom in 1905 to study law and later earning a doctorate in philosophy from Germany. After returning to the subcontinent in 1910, Iqbal used his poetry and intellectual vision to inspire Muslims and awaken political consciousness among them. His presentation of the idea of a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent became one of the intellectual foundations of Pakistan. His poetry infused a new spirit among Muslims, particularly the youth, whom he encouraged to embody the courage, ambition and determination symbolised by the Shaheen (eagle). Regarded as a modern-day Sufi, Iqbal’s philosophical thought centred on spirituality, self-realisation and the revival of the Muslim Ummah. His renowned literary works include Bang-e-Dra, Zabur-e-Ajam, Bal-e-Jibril, Zarb-e-Kalim, Javid Nama and Payam-e-Mashriq. He passed away on April 21, 1938, in Lahore and was laid to rest beside the historic Badshahi Mosque. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, a dignified change-of-guards ceremony was held at his mausoleum, where a smartly turned-out Pakistan Navy contingent formally assumed ceremonial guard duties. Pakistan Navy Station Commander Lahore Commodore Misbah-ul-Amin attended the ceremony as the chief guest. Contingents of Pakistan Rangers Punjab and the Pakistan Navy were inspected, while the Rangers contingent formally handed over its guard responsibilities. Following the change of guards, a floral wreath was laid at the mausoleum on behalf of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, officers, sailors and civilian personnel of the Pakistan Navy. Commodore Misbah-ul-Amin also recorded his remarks in the visitors’ book, paying tribute to the national poet and his enduring legacy.