6^TH IQBAL CONFERENCE 2024

19 NOVEMBER 2024

Iqbal Chair Bahria University organized the 6^th Iqbal Conference 2024 (National) to commemorate the 147th birthday of the poet of the East, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal by inviting the academia to delve and research into the relevance of Iqbal’s wisdom in improving Pakistan’s educational objectivity. This conference was the third national conference and the sixth Iqbal Conference overall, organized by the Iqbal Chair Bahria University, preceded by two national and three international conferences since 2019. The conference aimed to provide a platform for meaningful dialogue on Allama Iqbal’s teachings, focusing on its relevance in addressing contemporary challenges and foster practical strategies for the holistic national development through development of individuals and communities. The main theme of the conference was

ہر    فرد    ہے    ملت    کے    مقدّر     کا     ستارا

Every Individual Shapes the Nation’s Destiny: Iqbal’s Call for Individual Responsibility and Collective Progress

 

The 6th Iqbal Conference 2024 was successfully conducted across five campuses of Bahria University: Islamabad (BUIC E-8 & H-11), Karachi (BUKC & BUHSCK), and Lahore (BULC) in collaboration with renowned national educational institutions and other organizations.

All the seminar sessions were live broadcasted and shown in BU campuses through BUTV YouTube and Facebook page. There were 14 partner and sponsor institutions of the conference mostly from Academia namely, Iqbal Academy Pakistan, Riphah International University, Iqbal Chair at Government College Women University, department of Iqbal Studies Islamia University Bahawalpur, The School of Iqbal Studies Islamabad, Generation’s School Karachi, Liaison Corporation Peshawar, Golden Harvest Karachi, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), Savour Foods, AFAQ, Omnific-7, Women Journalist Association of Pakistan (WJAP),.

Participation

The unique aspect of this conference was the participation of college level students and faculty members in the research paper presentations along with other seasoned and emerging researchers. Their contributions enriched the discussions and inspired a renewed focus on leveraging Iqbal’s teachings to address modern challenges.

The conference brought together a diverse and dynamic mix of participants, including esteemed scholars, seasoned and emerging researchers, and students from universities as well as schools and colleges. Representatives from academia, various organizations, and the private sector contributed to the vibrant exchange of ideas, emphasizing the conference’s multidisciplinary significance and its far-reaching impact.

Conference Summary

The conference began with an inaugural session on 19^th November 2024 at Islamabad Campus, followed by seminar sessions at Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore campuses of Bahria University. Alongside 10 parallel online scientific sessions of the conference were held with around ninety research paper presentations out of which 6 were international papers from Iran, Malaysia, India, and USA. The conference ended with the concluding session at Islamabad campus on the same day. Academicians, professionals and students from Bahria University as well as other universities enthusiastically participated in the conference. Iqbal Conference 2024 witnessed an amalgamation of peerless speakers who enlightened the crowd with their knowledge and confabulated on various new-fangled topics related to the topics of Iqbal, education and Pakistan.

Participation

Young and brilliant researchers, eminent scholars and talented students from Bahria as well as other universities and outside enthusiastically participated in the conference. A number of national and international speakers enlightened the audience with their scholarly views and panel discussions on the topics related to Iqbal and Pakistan. The conference proceedings were carried out through various scientific-sessions and plenary lectures. The conference was embarked with an opening session a BUIC followed by four track sessions at the three campuses, parallel online scientific sessions, and lastly the concluding session at the Islamabad campus.

Bahria University Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi campuses participated fully in the conference and also through Live Facebook and VLC transmissions of all the sessions.

The conference was marked by the attendance of young and brilliant researchers, eminent scholars and talented students from Bahria as well as other universities, who have driven this event into the path of success. There were more than hundred research abstracts received from all over Pakistan and other countries, representing different universities, civil society, academia and the private sector. This was a gigantic event with on-campus seminal sessions and parallel running 10 scientific sessions followed by concluding session. These invigorating seminar sessions were attended by people from all walks of life.

Outcomes and Takeaways

The conference highlighted that Allama Iqbal’s vision remains deeply relevant for contemporary Pakistan, especially in reshaping educational paradigms, reviving Islamic consciousness, and strengthening youth identity. The concept of Khudi was repeatedly emphasized as a core principle for individual and national development. Participants stressed the need to reintroduce Iqbal’s thought into mainstream curricula and to develop new psychological, philosophical, and educational frameworks inspired by his ideas. The conference also illuminated how Iqbal’s message offers a unifying lens to navigate modern crises of identity, purpose, and morality.

Key outcomes included the creation of a collaborative network among faculty, students, and scholars committed to Iqbalian research. The success of the inter-campus format demonstrated the potential for future nationwide academic engagements rooted in indigenous intellectual traditions. Furthermore, the event’s integration of scientific sessions with cultural and thematic ones set a model for holistic academic conferences in Pakistan. There was a consensus on institutionalizing such dialogues annually and strengthening Iqbal Chair’s role as a hub for critical, creative, and spiritual scholarship on Iqbal in the light of Pakistan’s evolving needs. The conference served as a platform for sharing experiences of Iqbal’s study and his personal life at different levels, from panel discussions by senior academicians and pragmatic workers in the field of education who are in some way affiliated with Allama Iqbal’s philosophy. The main outcome of the conference was to influence youth by acquainting them with Iqbal’s ideology through various means like speeches, panel discussions, paper presentation and presentation of Iqbal’s poetry as Kalam and stage play.

The conference would hopefully serve as a beacon of guide for all. Its proceedings will be compiled at length and will be made available for all. The conference highlighted several pertinent issues that needed to be analyzed and dissected. This conference was an effort by Bahria University to initiate an enlightening discourse with many more to follow. We are overwhelmed by the response of all the esteemed guests, knowledgeable speakers and enthusiastic students.

Gallery for Iqbal Conference 2024