When different cities are visited generally, the famous places there to take a look are always discussed and searched. The places are always selected on the basis of their importance, enjoyable environment, safety etc. to gain a good experience. Lahore has many tourists interested places having a rich history and historical importance with a beautiful environment for family picnic along.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Lahore is Minar-e-Pakistan. This monument is located in a very big park with other tourist attractions, including boats, kids play area etc. Greater Iqbal Park, formerly Minto Park, is an urban park located in the outskirts of the Walled City in Lahore, Pakistan. Before current renovations and expansion its name was Iqbal Park. The 125-acre park includes an artificial lake which spreads over four acres which includes an 800-feet-long musical fountain. Other attractions include a soft rail, library, an open-air gym and a food court. The tombs of Allama Iqbal and Hafeez Jalandhari are also located in the park.
The tower of Minar-e-Pakistan reflects a blend of Mughal/Islamic and modern architecture. The tower was designed and supervised by, Nasreddin Murat-Khan a Russian-born Pakistani architect and civil engineer. The foundation stone was laid on 23 March 1960. Construction took eight years and was completed on 21 October, 1968 at an estimated cost of Rs 7,058,000. The money was collected by imposing an additional tax on cinema and horse racing tickets at the demand of Akhter Husain, governor of West Pakistan. Today, the minaret provides a panoramic view to visitors who can climb up the stairs or access the top, by means of an elevators.
The base is about 8 metres above the ground. The tower rises about 62 metres on the base, the total height of the minar is about 70 metres above the ground. The unfolding petals of the flower-like base are 9 metres high. The diameter of the tower is about 9.75 meters. The rostrum is built of patterned tiles, and faces Badshahi Mosque. The base comprises four platforms. To symbolise the humble beginning of the freedom struggle, first platform is built with uncut stones from Taxila, second platform is made of hammer-dressed stones, whereas third platform is of chiselled stones. Polished white marble at the fourth and final platform depicts the success of the Pakistan Movement. The structure uses the imagery of crescents and stars, signs that symbolize the culture of Pakistan, similarly seen in the National Flag.
At the base, there are floral inscriptions on ten converging white marble commemorative plaques. The inscriptions include the text of Lahore Resolution in Urdu, Bengali and English, and Delhi Resolution’s text, which was passed on 9 April, 1946. On different plaques, Quranic verses and 99 names of Allah are inscribed in Arabic calligraphy, whereas National Anthem of Pakistan in Urdu and Bengali, excerpts from the speeches of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Urdu, Bengali and English, along with few couplets of Allama Iqbal include the other important inscriptions. This place can be astonishing for you and undoubtedly deserves a visit.