The architect
Minar-e-Pakistan was designed by Nasreddin Murat-Khan, an architect who migrated to Pakistan.
He is credited with the tower's blend of Islamic, Mughal and modernist elements.
His background
Murat-Khan brought a cross-cultural training that shows in the monument's restrained yet symbolic design.
He is a noted figure in early Pakistani civic architecture.
Design selection
The design was chosen through a competition for a national monument on the Lahore Resolution site.
The petal-platform concept became its defining feature.
Construction, 1960 to 1968
The foundation stone was laid on 23 March 1960, and construction concluded in 1968.
Building a structure of this scale took the better part of a decade.
Funding and labour
The project was a national effort funded through public contribution in the early years of Pakistan.
Local craftsmen and engineers executed the detailed stone and marble work.
Legacy
The result is one of Lahore's most recognised landmarks and a reference point for civic monuments in the country.
Its design is studied as an example of post-independence Pakistani architecture.
Frequently asked questions
Who designed Minar-e-Pakistan?
Architect Nasreddin Murat-Khan, who migrated to Pakistan and blended Islamic, Mughal and modernist styles.
When was it constructed?
Foundation laid 23 March 1960; completed in 1968.
Was it a competition design?
Yes, the design was selected through a competition for a national monument on the resolution site.
How was it funded?
It was a national effort with public contribution in the early years of Pakistan.
Why is the architect important?
Murat-Khan gave the monument its symbolic petal-platform form and is a noted figure in early Pakistani civic architecture.