LAHORE, August 12, 2025: The Iqbal Academy Pakistan organized a seminar titled “Bunyan Marsous – In the Context of Allama Iqbal’s Concept of Truth and Falsehood” at its library on Tuesday.
The event was presided over by Dr. Mehboob Hussain, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of the Punjab. Guest speakers included Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Ansari from the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Central Punjab; Dr. Amara Tariq, Head of the Department of Urdu at the University of Education, Lahore; and young Iqbal scholar Dr. Nadeem Ishaq Khan. Director Iqbal Academy Pakistan, Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafiqui delivered the vote of thanks, while the proceedings were conducted by Mr. Zaid Hussain.
The seminar began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Mr. Hasnain Abbas, followed by a naat presented by Mr. Haris.
In his address, Dr. Mehboob Hussain described Allama Iqbal’s concept of truth and falsehood as both a philosophical idea and a guiding principle for social and moral systems. Highlighting the poet-philosopher’s concept of Khudi (selfhood), he said it promotes self-confidence, self-respect, and the collective strength of the nation. He noted that “Operation Bunyan Marsous” by the Pakistan Armed Forces embodied these ideals, reflecting national unity and defensive capability against India’s “Operation Sandor.”
Dr. Hussain stressed that applying Iqbal’s ideas in practical life is an urgent need, particularly in times of increasing social division.
Speaking on Iqbal’s political vision and his concept of global peace, Dr. Ilyas Ansari said the poet emphasized that the Muslim Ummah must form a united front to address internal and external challenges. He added that Bunyan Marsous symbolized this unity, as the Pakistan Army, Air Force and other institutions worked in unison like a “strong chain” during the operation. He termed the counteraction against Indian aggression as a reflection of Iqbal’s belief in the necessity of struggle for the supremacy of truth, even at the cost of sacrifice.
Dr. Amara Tariq discussed the theme of truth and falsehood in Iqbal’s poetry from a literary perspective, while Dr. Nadeem Ishaq Khan linked Iqbal’s ideas to modern-day challenges such as personal development and social justice, underlining their contemporary relevance.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafiqui said that “Operation Bunyan Marsous” launched on May 10, 2025, in response to Indian aggression, was not merely a military action but also a reflection of the firm resolve inspired by Allama Iqbal’s intellectual legacy. The operation derives its name from the Qur’anic term Bunyan Marsous, meaning a strong and unassailable wall—a metaphor Iqbal often used to represent Khudi and community strength.
The event concluded with the presentation of commemorative shields to the guest speakers.