The place where the All India Muslim League meeting was held in Lahore on March 23, 1940, and where the historic Pakistan Resolution was passed, was named "Iqbal Park" after Allama Iqbal, the creator of the idea of ​​Pakistan.

While earlier it was also called "Manto Park." Today, a tall minaret has been built there, which is called the "Pakistan Resolution Monument" or "Pakistan Tower." 

Abandoned British Plans for the Site

Before the establishment of Pakistan, the British government twice planned to erect a statue of King George V here and make it a pilgrimage site, but both times due to wars, this project could not be completed.

Finally a grand monument was built here that gave perpetuity to the Pakistan Resolution of March 23, 1940. This skyscraper minaret opposite the Badshahi Mosque reminds us of the tireless struggle for the homeland.

Decision and Formation of the Memorial Committee

Field Marshal Ayub Khan's government decided to build a memorial at this place on 20 March 1959, and in this regard, a "Pakistan Day Memorial Committee" was formed.

The Commissioner Lahore Division was the chairman of this committee, while its members were twenty-two, including the Director of Public Relations, Senior Superintendent of Police, and Martial Law Officers, and other personalities.

On March 19, 1960, the arrangements for laying the foundation stone of the monument were finalized in a meeting of this committee, and on March 23, 1960 (25 Ramadan 1379 AH), the first brick of the building was laid by the then Governor of West Pakistan, Akhtar Hussain.

Initial Model and Final Monument Design

A 13-foot-tall wooden model of the monument was also displayed on the occasion, but it was later abandoned when the design was found to be too costly. Later, the current design was approved, which was prepared by a Russian Muslim architect of Turkish origin, Nasiruddin Murad Khan. He donated his fee for the design and supervision of its construction, which was estimated to cost around Rs. 252,000, towards the minaret.

Fundraising Efforts and Government Support

It should be noted that Naseeruddin Murad Khan was also the chairman of the construction committee. To raise funds for the construction of Minar-e-Pakistan, an appeal was made to the people of the country and abroad for donations, but no large amount could be raised.

Therefore, on the recommendation of the Yadgar Committee, the government imposed a surcharge of ten paise on cinema tickets and fifty paise on horse racing tickets, as a result of which a significant amount of money was collected.

Construction Begins and Historical Spot Identified

The contract for the construction of the Minar-e-Pakistan was awarded to Mian Abdul Khaliq, a worker of the Pakistan Movement, on 9 May 1963. The minar was built on the same spot where the stage of the rally was set up on 23 March 1940.

The spot was marked by Mian Amiruddin, who was present at that meeting. The construction of this 196-foot-tall minaret was completed on 31 October 1968 (8 Shaban 1388), and Rs. 7.5 million was spent on it.

Materials, Structure, and Specifications

The construction was supervised by Senior Engineer Abdul Rehman Niazi, former Chief Engineer Highway Jamaluddin, and Senior Art Stunts Ijaz Hussain and Iqbal Ali, while the electric fitting was done by Mr. Saleem. Most of the material used in the construction of the minaret is Pakistani.

Red stone and marble were imported from Hazara and Swat districts. The minaret is made of iron and concrete up to 180 feet, while its upper part is made of steel. The minaret has 20 galleries and 20 floors. And there are 330 stairs to climb it. In addition, an elevator is also installed inside it.

Inscriptions and Religious Calligraphy

In the first part of the minaret, the 99 names of Allah Almighty, the full text of the Lahore Resolution (in Urdu, Bengali, and English), poems of Allama Iqbal, and the sayings of Quaid-e-Azam are engraved on seven-foot-long and two-foot-wide marble slabs. In addition, Surah Al-Imran, Surah Maidah, and Surah Baqarah of the Holy Quran are also engraved on them.

Cultural Symbols and National Significance

On one column, Allama Iqbal's poem, 'Subh,' and other poems titled 'Imagination of Pakistan' are engraved. On one tablet, the national anthem is inscribed. In the same section, the Delhi Resolution (April 19, 1946) is written.

'Minar Pakistan' and 'Allahu Akbar' plaques are installed at the main entrance of the minaret. A 12-foot-long platform has been built on the south side, and a stage is built on this platform today for ceremonies. 

Artistic Contributions and Architectural Beauty

On the wall in front of the platform is a carving of "Lilla al-Mashreq wal-Maghrib." All these examples of calligraphy are masterpieces of famous calligraphers, Hafiz Muhammad Yusuf Siridi, Khursheed Alam, Khursheed Raqam, Muhammad Siddiq Almas Raqam, and Muhammad Iqbal, while the roofs of the minaret's verandas also have beautiful carvings on the inside.

On another platform is a moon-shaped basin, the corners of which are joined together. Above it is a five-pointed star, which is a manifestation of the representation of the five provinces of the beloved homeland (including East Pakistan).

Management and Modernization by LDA

The maintenance of Minar-e-Pakistan was initially entrusted to a memorial committee. However, in June 1982, it was handed over to the LDA (Lahore Development Authority).

Meanwhile, this organization implemented several projects to improve the surroundings of the minar. In 1987, the third phase of the construction and renovation of Minar-e-Pakistan was completed, on which about 8.7 million rupees were spent.

Development of Surroundings and Park Facilities

During this time, encroachments were removed on the western side of the tower, and footpaths and walkways were built. A park for children and a main gate towards Data Nagar were constructed. Earlier, the "Old Ravi" was converted into a beautiful lake at a cost of Rs. 40 lakh. Later, the length of this lake was increased to 700 feet.

So now the total area of ​​this lake is 9 acres. Its length is 4,000 feet and its width is 190 feet. There is a revolving cafe in the middle of it, while motorboats are also available for boating on the lake.

Iqbal Park as a Tourist Destination

Iqbal Park covers a total area of ​​90 acres, which is beautifully decorated with forests, fountains, benches, small walkways, groves, and grassy areas. At night, this place looks even more beautiful and attractive in the light of floodlights; as a result, it has become an excellent tourist destination.

Thus, many families of Lahore spend their evenings here, while during the day thousands of people from all over the country come to visit it. Minar-e-Pakistan has now become a distinctive symbol of Lahore. 

Symbolic Significance of Minar-e-Pakistan

Another special thing about it is that it is the only minaret in the world, which was built in memory of a resolution passed in a meeting. Therefore, now this minaret is not just a stone and brick platform but is a minaret of light for the Pakistani nation and a bright milestone in our history.

According to Mukhtar Masood, "The first important minaret to be completed in this subcontinent after the minarets of the Alamgir Mosque is the Pakistan Tower. Thus, the mosque and the minaret are face to face, but this small distance between them, which includes the Sikh Gurdwara and the Farangi camp, covers three centuries."