The foundation stone was laid on March 23, 1960, exactly 20 years after the Lahore Resolution.
The tower's base is raised on a 4-meter-high platform shaped like a five-pointed star.
It is built on the specific site of Minto Park, where the All-India Muslim League held its historic session.
The structure was financed through a tax levied on cinemas and racecourses in the 1960s.
The inscribed text includes the National Anthem of Pakistan and excerpts from the speeches of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal.
The design includes 10 varying levels of stone cladding representing different stages of the independence movement.
It is often referred to locally as the 'Eiffel Tower of Pakistan' due to its silhouette against the urban skyline.
Minar-e-Pakistan is a 70-meter-tall commemorative tower located in Greater Iqbal Park, marking the site where the Lahore Resolution was passed on March 23, 1940. Designed by architect Murat Khan and completed in 1968, the structure features a base shaped like a flower petal that rises to a soaring minaret. The exterior is clad in textured stone, while the interior features marble walls inscribed with verses from the Quran and the text of the Lahore Resolution. The tower serves as a focal point for national identity, situated within a vast urban park complex. Visitors can access the observation deck via stairs or an elevator to view the Lahore skyline and the adjacent Walled City. The structure's design represents a fusion of Mughal and modern architectural styles. It is a protected national monument under the control of the Parks and Horticulture Authority.
The best perspective is from the reflection pool area within the park, which captures the symmetry of the tower's base.
Visit during the late afternoon to experience the change from daylight to evening lighting.
Keep a moderate walking pace as the park grounds are extensive.
Carry water, as there are limited shaded seating areas away from the main tower base.
Avoid visiting during peak summer midday hours when temperatures are extreme and shade is minimal. Do not attempt to climb the exterior surface.
Modest dress is required; ensure shoulders and knees are covered. Visitors must remove shoes before entering the inner sanctum of the memorial.
