Monuments of Pakistan

Monuments of Pakistan
Quaid-e-Azam mazar

The Mazar-e-Quaid was built in honour of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He was an Indian-
Muslim politician & the leader of the "All India Muslim League" who went on to found
Pakistan & served as its first Governor General. The Pakistani people lovingly refer to
him as "Quaid-e-Azam" (Great Leader). In the 1940s Jinnah suffered from tuberculosis
and on 11th September 1948 he finally succumbed to the disease & also lunge cancer.

This masterpiece of white marble was completed in the 1960s & is located in the centre
of the city ontop of a small hill, surrounded by well-pruned & lush gardens. It's a very
calm & tranquil place that we indeed didn't expect to find in the middle of such a hectic
& noisy city. There were families having picnics & couples going for a walk.

Enter the hall that is guarded at all times & feel the understated serenity & quiet
admiration of Pakistan's people. The coffin is surrounded by a fence and his actual grave
is a few meters below ground. The graves of his sister & also the 1st Prime Minister of
Pakistan (Liaqat Ali Khan) are nearby. Unfortunately we missed the ceremonial changing
of the guards as we were in a hurry, but if you have some time I definitely recommend
spending about an hour here.
Quote:
"No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. It
is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within 4 walls as prisoners. There
is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition our women have to live in."

Minar-e-Pakistan

Minar-e-Pakistan is a tall minaret in Iqbal Park Lahore, built in commemoration of the
Pakistan Resolution. The minaret reflects a blend of Mughal and modern architecture,
and is constructed on the site where on March 23, 1940, seven years before the formation
of Pakistan, the Muslim League passed the Pakistan Resolution (Qarardad-e-Pakistan),
demanding the creation of Pakistan This was the first official declaration to establish a
separate homeland for the Muslims living in the South Asia Pakistan now celebrates this
day as a national holiday each year.

The monument attracts visitors from all over Pakistan, as well as the inhabitants of the
Walled City of Lahore. The large public space around the monument is commonly used
for political and public meetings, whereas Iqbal Park area is popular among kite-flyers.


by:
Waleed Shaheen
Ahmed Mujtaba