Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday chaired a high-level consultative meeting with leading media houses, prominent producers, directors and creative heads to deliberate on the development of two landmark historical web series on Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
The proposed series is envisioned as a flagship production to commemorate the 150th birth anniversaries of the two towering figures, marking the occasion not merely as a ceremonial milestone but as a profound moment of national reflection and renewal, along with opportunities for cultural diplomacy and highlighting the intellectual contribution of Pakistan.
Addressing representatives from media houses, the minister underscored that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for nation-building. He noted that the initiative goes beyond television production and forms part of a broader national endeavour to keep Pakistan’s history and intellectual heritage alive among the youth.
Through meaningful storytelling, he said, the government aims to ensure that the legacy of the country’s founding leaders continues to inspire generations so that young people not only learn about the journey undertaken to create Pakistan but also internalise the values, vision, constitutionalism and resilience that shaped the nation.
The minister emphasised that the 150th anniversaries of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal provide a historic opportunity to reconnect younger generations with the foundational ideals of unity, faith, discipline, knowledge, democracy and civic responsibility.
He highlighted that both leaders are global intellectual figures whose ideas continue to resonate across South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and beyond.
Referring to the growing importance of cultural diplomacy, Ahsan Iqbal observed that many nations have successfully transformed historical dramas into instruments of soft power.
High-quality, research-driven and internationally competitive series on Pakistan’s founding fathers, he said, can serve as cultural ambassadors projecting a confident national image, strengthening Pakistan’s global narrative and showcasing its intellectual and democratic legacy worldwide.
To support the initiative, the government has committed seed funding of up to Rs500 million to enable landmark, global-standard productions. The minister said the incentives are designed to encourage rigorous research, cinematic excellence and international distribution, ensuring that Pakistan’s story reaches audiences across the world.
A dedicated scholarly workshop will be convened in the coming weeks to provide writers, producers and creative teams with deeper academic insight into the life, philosophy and statesmanship of Iqbal and the Quaid. The objective, he said, is to ensure historical authenticity, intellectual depth and narrative excellence, with strong emphasis on inspiring youth and nurturing identity, values and national confidence.
The minister encouraged the media industry to think beyond conventional broadcasting models and work towards developing Pakistan’s own OTT platforms to amplify the country’s voice globally and share its cultural heritage directly with international audiences.
He noted that the series will not only commemorate historic anniversaries but also serve as vehicles to share Pakistan’s story with the world, transforming drama productions into instruments of influence that build positive global narratives about the country’s origins, vision and aspirations.
Participants congratulated the minister on the initiative and expressed commitment to producing world-class content that honours Pakistan’s founding leaders and contributes to national revival.
Concluding the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed the government’s resolve to partner with the creative industry in producing globally resonant historical content, saying purposeful storytelling will strengthen national identity at home and elevate Pakistan’s intellectual and cultural standing on the global stage.
