pk-china-user By Tahir Ali
“The East rises from its deep sleep, and the sun appears; a new caravan arrives, and the old age fades away.” Nearly a century after Allama Muhammad Iqbal penned these lines in Zabur-e-Ajam, his vision of a reawakened East—led by China—appears increasingly relevant as Asia assumes a central role in global economic and intellectual dynamics. In Gwadar, the flagship city of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), this vision is reflected not only in expanding infrastructure and connectivity but also in a renewed commitment to scholarship and intellectual growth.
On Thursday, the University of Gwadar inaugurated an “Iqbal Corner” at its central library, marking a significant step toward promoting Iqbal’s philosophy and strengthening academic engagement in Pakistan’s strategic port city.
The ceremony was presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Abdul Razzaq Sabir. Among the distinguished guests were Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafiqi, Director General of the Iqbal Academy Pakistan, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, Director General of the National Language Promotion Department. Scholars and representatives from Allama Iqbal Open University, University of Turbat, and other academic institutions also attended.
Addressing the gathering, Sabir stated that the establishment of the Iqbal Corner would familiarize students with Iqbal’s intellectual heritage while encouraging research and academic excellence. He noted that the initiative would provide scholars and students with a platform to engage meaningfully with Iqbal’s thought and contribute to the intellectual development of the region.
Rafiqi and Mazhar commended the university’s leadership for advancing higher education and promoting national languages in Balochistan, terming the initiative a significant milestone in academic and literary progress. They expressed hope that such endeavors would foster stronger intellectual linkages and inspire future generations.
