The site before the monument
The ground was part of Minto Park, a public space in Lahore used for gatherings.
It later became known as Iqbal Park, named after the poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal.
The Lahore Resolution, 1940
On 23 March 1940, the All-India Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution here, setting out the demand for a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.
This is the political event the monument commemorates. See the dedicated resolution guide for detail.
Naming Iqbal Park
The park honours Allama Iqbal, whose vision of a Muslim cultural and political centre informed the movement the resolution expressed.
The monument and the park name together tell a continuous story.
Building the monument, 1960 to 1968
The foundation stone was laid on 23 March 1960, and the structure was completed in 1968.
It was designed by architect Nasreddin Murat-Khan, who blended Islamic, Mughal and modernist motifs.
Design and symbolism
The tower rises through petal-shaped platforms that appear to unfold from the ground — widely read as a symbol of a nation coming into being.
Base inscriptions include the text of the Pakistan Resolution and verses.
Minar-e-Pakistan today
It is a civic gathering point, a photography landmark and a reminder of the political moment that reshaped the region.
It remains free and open as a public monument within Iqbal Park.
Frequently asked questions
What is the history of Minar-e-Pakistan?
It marks the site of the 1940 Lahore Resolution. The foundation stone was laid in 1960 and the monument completed in 1968, designed by Nasreddin Murat-Khan.
Why was it built?
To commemorate the Lahore Resolution of 1940, which demanded a separate homeland that became Pakistan in 1947.
When was it built?
Foundation laid 23 March 1960; completed in 1968.
What was the site before?
It was part of Minto Park, later renamed Iqbal Park after Allama Iqbal.
Who designed it?
Architect Nasreddin Murat-Khan, who blended Islamic, Mughal and modernist styles.