Chitral (Chitral Express): A dignified, splendid and purposeful ceremony was held at Government Central Model High School (Boys), Lower Chitral, to mark the birth anniversary of the Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal. The main purpose of the ceremony was to highlight Allama Iqbal’s thought, philosophy of selfhood and message for the younger generation.
Lower Chitral District Education Officer (DEO) Shahid Hussain attended the ceremony as the chief guest, while the school’s Vice Principal, Shahid Jalal, presided. The school hall was packed with students and teachers, and the participants were extremely enthusiastic.
The ceremony began with recitation from the Holy Quran and a naat in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Students then recited Iqbal’s poetry, performed national songs and delivered speeches, earning warm applause from the audience.
Various competitions were held on the occasion to develop students’ creative abilities:
Quiz competition: An informative quiz on Allama Iqbal’s biography, thought and poetry was held among the school’s four houses.
A splendid bait-bazi competition featuring selected verses by Allama Iqbal made the ceremony enjoyable.
These competitions gave students the opportunity to fully express their writing and artistic abilities.
Addressing the students, Muhammad Qasim, the head of the literary society, urged them not to confine Iqbal’s thought to books, but to make it part of their practical lives.
In his address, chief guest DEO Shahid Hussain said that Iqbal taught young people selfhood, self-confidence and high-mindedness. He urged students to focus fully on their education, make hard work their way of life and set a lofty goal for themselves.
In his presidential address, ceremony chair Shahid Jalal explained Allama Iqbal’s philosophy of selfhood in a particularly eloquent manner. He said selfhood means recognizing one’s hidden abilities and leaving behind a sense of inferiority to pursue the path of high ambition. He advised students to value time during this important period of their student lives and make full use of their teachers’ guidance.
The ceremony concluded with prayers for the country and nation’s progress and security. The event proved highly effective in awakening awareness of Iqbal’s thought and persistent action among the students.
Source: https://chitralexpress.com/updates/2026/11/09/106864/
Muhammad Nayab Khan is a seasoned Freelance Journalist, Media Professional, and Enterprise Development expert based in Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Holding an MBA in Finance from Punjab University, he brings a unique economic and digital perspective to media storytelling, corporate branding, and regional development. He maintains active professional affiliations with Qashqar TV (First PEMRA Licensed WebTV in Chitral) and Chitral Express (Chitral’s Largest News Network), where he contributes high-impact digital content, editorial visuals, and comprehensive coverage of regional socio-economic issues. As a multi-faceted entrepreneur and media creator, Nayab combines sharp investigative insight with advanced visual communication to highlight local narratives on regional and national platforms.
