Green-lights Rs500m project on Pakistan’s founding fathers to highlight the nation’s ideological heritage globally
The federal government on Saturday announced plans to produce two historical web series on the life and services of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and philosopher-poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal to mark their 150th birth anniversaries.
The decision was taken at a high-level consultative meeting chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, which brought together leading media houses, producers, directors, and prominent figures from the creative sector.
Speaking at the meeting, Iqbal said the 150th anniversary celebrations of Quaid-e-Azam and Iqbal would go beyond formal ceremonies, serving instead as a milestone in national renewal and intellectual revival.
He emphasised that purposeful storytelling was a powerful tool for nation-building and that connecting the younger generation with Pakistan’s ideological journey, constitutional struggle and national values was an urgent need of the hour.
Iqbal added that Quaid-e-Azam’s constitutional struggle and Iqbal’s intellectual vision would be incorporated into a global narrative to familiarise the world with Pakistan’s ideological heritage and intellectual depth.
“Historical dramas can serve as an effective tool of soft power and cultural diplomacy,” he said, highlighting the government’s intention to foster partnerships with the creative industry to strengthen Pakistan’s positive image internationally.
The minister announced that the government would provide up to Rs500 million in seed funding for the two productions. In addition, workshops for writers and producers would be organised to ensure historical accuracy, authenticity and intellectual rigour.
آج ملک کے ممتاز میڈیا ہاؤسز اور نمایاں پروڈیوسرز کے ساتھ ایک بھرپور اور نتیجہ خیز ملاقات منعقد ہوئی جس میں Muhammad Ali Jinnah اور Allama Muhammad Iqbal کی 150ویں یومِ پیدائش کی مناسبت سے ایک تاریخی ڈرامہ سیریز پر تفصیلی تبادلۂ خیال کیا گیا۔
میں نے اس بات پر زور دیا کہ کہانی… pic.twitter.com/kyweT976jh
— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) February 21, 2026
“Research-based, internationally standard historical productions will be created, aligning our national heritage with the demands of the digital age,” he said.
The meeting also discussed a strategic framework to ensure effective representation of Pakistani historical content in global markets and considered the establishment of domestic OTT platforms to showcase the two web series.
Iqbal noted that the thoughts and vision of national heroes would be presented to the youth in an inspiring and accessible manner through drama and digital media.
He expressed the government’s commitment that the anniversary celebrations would serve as a launchpad for national reconstruction and intellectual revival, ensuring that Pakistan’s ideological heritage is effectively highlighted on the global stage.
