Minar-e-Pakistan (; ) is a national monument located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Standing in the Greater Iqbal Park, the tower was built in the 1960s on the site where the Lahore Resolution – demanding the establishment of Pakistan as an independent Muslim homeland – was passed by the Muslim League on 23 March 1940.
Mian Abdul Khaliq was assigned as the main contractor for the project. Mukhtar Masood, a well-known writer and the then–deputy commissioner of Lahore, was one of the members who undertook an important role for the completion of the project..
Mian Abdul Ghani Mughal served as a Supervisor (Services Engineer) during the construction of Minar-e-Pakistan, a role formally recognized.He remained associated with the project from its early stages through to its completion, reflecting his sustained involvement and technical expertise. He later contributed to several notable developments in Gujranwala, Pakistan, including City Hospital Gujranwala, Chand da Qila By-Pass, Lords Hotel, and the University of the Punjab Campus Gujranwala.
Design
thumb|The monument sits atop a plinth.
The tower reflects a blend of Mughal, Islamic and modern architecture. The tower was designed and supervised by, Nasreddin Murat-Khan, a Russian-born Pakistani architect and civil engineer.
The tower stands on a five-pointed star-shaped platform that is enclosed by two crescent-shaped pools facing each other. One crescent pool is lined with red marble, the other is lined with green marble. The lower portion of the tower itself is shaped into a flower. The structure uses the imagery of crescents, stars and signs that symbolise the culture of Pakistan, similarly seen in the national flag of the country. and an expression of post-colonial national identity.
Notable visits and events
On 21 February 1999, the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the first Indian leader to visit Minar-e-Pakistan (previous Indian state visits to Pakistan had not included a visit to Lahore). Vajpayee's visit was compared to Nixon's visit to China in terms of significance.
On 9 September 2012, the erstwhile Indian Minister for External Affairs S. M. Krishna with Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal, also made a visit to the monument. Krishna wrote his remarks in visitors album of the monument.
The location is often used for political and religious events. It is also known as the "Liberty Tower of Pakistan". The monument has served as the location for a number of rallies. The rallies have often caused damage to the surrounding flora, according to the Parks and Horticulture Authority. In 2014, the Government of Punjab considered banning any large political or non-political gatherings. In the past, the tower was used to provide a panoramic view to visitors who could access the top by climbing up the spiral stairs or using an elevator. However, this facility was later withdrawn due to a few suicide incidents.
Gallery
<gallery>
File:Minar-e-Pakistan Damn cruze DSC 0127a.jpg|View from the Greater Iqbal Park
File:The Minar-e-Pakistan.jpg|A lit view of the monument in 2014
File:Minar e pakistan in blue sky with shadow.jpg|A view under cloudy sky with shadow on the marble floor
File:Minar-e-Pakistan by ZILL NIAZI 2.jpg|An aerial view
File:Shahi Mosque 10.jpg|The richly framed by an aisle arch
File:Minar-E-Pakistan Lights.jpg|The tower lit during special events
File:Minar e Pakistan night image.jpg|At night
File:Minar-e-Pakistan01.jpg|Another night view
</gallery>
See also
- Pakistan Monument
- List of parks and gardens in Lahore
- List of parks and gardens in Pakistan
Bibliography
- State of Human Rights in Pakistan. Pakistan, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 2004.