on ten converging white marble commemorative plaques. The inscriptions include the text of the Lahore Resolution in Urdu, Bengali and English, as well as the Delhi Resolution's text, which was passed on 9 April 1946. On different plaques, Quranic verses and 99 names of Allah are inscribed in Arabic calligraphy. Other important inscriptions included on the monument are the National Anthem of Pakistan in Urdu and Bengali, excerpts from the speeches of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Urdu, Bengali and English; and a few couplets written by Allama Iqbal. Construction The foundation stone was laid on 23 March 1960. Construction took eight years, and was completed on 21 October 1968 at an estimated cost of Rs 7,058,000. The money was collected by imposing an additional tax on cinema and horse racing tickets at the demand of Akhter Husain, governor of West Pakistan. Significance Minar-e-Pakistan is considered the national emblem of Pakistan, and an expression of post-colonial national identity. Notable visits and events On February 21, 1999, Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the first Indian leader to visit Minar-e-Pakistan (previous Indian state visits to Pakistan had not included a visit to Lahore). Vajpayee's visit was compared to Nixon's visit to China in terms of significance. Minar-e-Pakistan has served as the location for a number of rallies. The rallies have often caused damage to the surrounding flora, according to the Parks and Horticulture Authority. In 2014, the Punjab government considered banning any political or non-political large gatherings. Gallery See also List of parks and gardens in Pakistan List of parks and gardens in Lahore List of parks and gardens in Karachi Bibliography State of Human Rights in Pakistan. Pakistan, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 2004. References External links https://web.archive.org/web/20070311052425/http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=364 https://web.archive.org/web/20070109183759/http://www.lahore.com/content/section/4/45/ Architecture of Lahore Buildings and structures in Lahore Islamic architecture Monuments and memorials in Pakistan National symbols of Pakistan Architecture in Pakistan Towers in Lahore Tourist attractions in Lahore Walled City of Lahore Nasreddin Murat-Khan buildings and structures Minarets in Pakistan