Iqbal’s wisdom, once the seed of a nation, is now the catalyst for a new era of intellectual and spiritual awakening.

A series of eleven transformative lectures has had a palpable impact, instilling conviction and resilience in a diverse audience of approximately twenty thousand over the course of a year, right in the heartland of Punjab."
—Professor Dr. Tanoli (HOD, Iqbal Academy, Pakistan)
Nations and societies have always thrived in a perpetually complex environment, shaped by competing ideologies that often lead to cognitive and physical distress among individuals and communities. This reality has never been more evident than in the 21st century, where the global population—particularly Gen Z (born 1995 onwards)—exists in a digitally connected world marked by information overload and a tendency to chase fleeting trends. While technology has opened new avenues for self-learning, it has also limited knowledge acquisition to a superficial level, hindering the ability to deeply analyze and comprehend issues. Furthermore, as conventional sources of guidance fade, the distance from the wisdom imparted by the Holy Quran and universally recognized scholars and practitioners continues to grow.
In this context, a need was felt—partly driven by the personal learning drives and experiences of a few at Okara Garrison—to collectively embark on a journey to re-discover Iqbal's divine message. 

a need was felt—partly driven by the personal learning drives and experiences of a few at Okara Garrison—to collectively embark on a journey to re-discover Iqbal's divine message. 

Canvas Selection: All Those Who Lit Up the Evening
Just as the choice of a background canvas is crucial to creating a masterpiece, selecting the right audience is essential to achieving the desired impact. With this in mind, the Iqbaliat Lecture Series was thoughtfully curated to include individuals from all walks of life within the Garrison. The audience comprised officers and their families, junior and non-commissioned officers, soldiers and their resident families, as well as teachers and students from ten schools, including Army Public School (APS), Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEIs), and Al-Noor Special Children School. Additionally, all ranks from Garrison setups and selected members of civil society were invited.
This diverse gathering ensured broad representation across Okara Garrison, particularly within Al-Barq Division, encompassing a significant number of young, impressionable minds while also engaging mature thinkers. This balance was essential to collectively reawaken and relive the message of Iqbal in a meaningful and transformative way.
The Alchemy: Who Delivered the Change?
A collaborative effort was undertaken to invite a distinguished panel of guest speakers, all affiliated with the International Iqbal Society based in Lahore. From February 2024 to January 2025, these esteemed individuals, along with the carefully selected themes they explored, are chronologically listed below:
February–Mr. Khuzaima Guhar Siddique, Commander Training, Cadet College Jhang, on “Iqbal ka Tasawar-e-Khudi and Noujawan-e-Pakistan.”
March–Dr. Tahir Hameed Tanoli, HOD, Iqbal Academy Pakistan, on “Iqbal ka Tasawar-e-Mard-e-Momin aur Aaj kay Noujawan Pakistan par Iska Itlaaq.”
April–Mr. Khuzaima Guhar Siddique, Commander Training, Cadet College Jhang, on “Nazria-e-Pakistan: Khutba Allahabad se Qarar Dad-e-Pakistan Tak.”
June–Syed Fahd Ali Kazmi, Lecturer, Punjab University Lahore, on “Vision of Iqbal and Its Never-Ending Relevance.”
July–Dr. Khurram Elahi, Lecturer, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, on “Iqbal and Science.”
August–Dr. Khurram Elahi, Lecturer, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, on “Stray Reflections–A Notebook of Allama Iqbal.”
September–Dr. Tahir Hameed Tanoli, HOD, Iqbal Academy Pakistan, on "Why Understanding Iqbal Is Essential."
October–Dr. Baseera Ambreen, Director, Punjab University, on “Iqbal ka Shaheen: Jihad-o-Istaqlal ke Ramz-o-Baleegh.”
November–Dr. Hassan Raza Iqbali, Iqbaliat Scholar, on “Mabadiyat-e-Falsafa-e-Iqbal.”
December–Mian Iqbal Salah-u-Din, Grandson of Allama Iqbal, on “Iqbal ka Nazria-e-Touheed.”
January 2025–Dr. Fatima Fayyaz, Professor, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), on “Maraj-ul-Bahrain.”
The Change–What Has Been Delivered? 
Changes in cognitive processes and physical behaviors are often felt rather than measured. Nonetheless, the lecture series has made a significant impact not only at the Garrison level but also on individuals, inspiring both youth and mature thinkers while generating a multitude of positive effects within the visiting civil community. Overall, the talks have:
Encouraged participants to engage in introspection about their roles in society.
Created an environment where each participant recognized the gaps they could personally fill to contribute to nation-building.
Revived the spirit of the motherland’s creation, achieved through great sacrifices.
Instilled hope and resilience among attendees from all walks of life.
Inspired students to read and think critically rather than accepting hearsay as truth.
Brought together diverse perspectives for positive personal growth.
Promoted critical thinking to counter naysayers and agitators effectively.
Motivated youth to persevere through challenges and resist propaganda.
Cultivated Iqbal’s philosophy in both young and reflective minds.
Strengthened the community’s connection to ethics, culture, and nationalism.
Additionally, the lecture series had a profound effect on visiting scholars, as reflected through:
The presentation of shields and warm hospitality, fostering a deep sense of connection.
Meet-and-greet sessions reinforcing the notion of one nation–one past–one future.
Engaging in discussions on sacred subjects with a dedicated community, instilling in civil scholars a sense of contribution toward nation-building.
The Multipliers: What Accelerated the Absorption?
Heartfelt performances by FGEI students, showcasing Iqbal's message, lifted the atmosphere and deeply resonated with the audience, especially the youth. Additionally, the fusion of Iqbal's timeless words with melodious instruments and vocal harmonies left participants in a thought-provoking state.
The Forecast: Where Do We Go from Here?
As more Iqbaliat scholars from the community of philosophers and thinkers plan to visit Al-Barq Division (Okara Garrison) in 2025, several new initiatives are being introduced to reinforce the positive impact. These include:
Informal interactions between senior officers, their spouses, and community members at Okara Garrison to further reinforce Iqbal’s message.
Recurring discussions on Iqbal’s philosophy integrated into various training and administrative events.
Observance of "Iqbal Hour" during FGEI morning assemblies on the day of Garrison-level lectures.
Literary competitions on Iqbaliat in FGEIs to encourage deeper engagement with Iqbal’s ideas.
Expanding participation by inviting Al-Jehad Division and other Garrison setups.
Strengthening civil-military relations by involving select members of civil society in these initiatives.
A year-long reverberation of Iqbal's message has ignited a spirit of self-discovery, hope, and resilience—not only among uniformed personnel (officers and soldiers) but also within their families and students at Okara Garrison. This platform has also provided a unique opportunity for distinguished speakers and members of civil society to reconnect with the values of sacrifice, courage, unity, and steadfastness embodied by the military community at Okara and beyond.