Special Report by Sajjad Parvez

First ever two days Bahawalpur Literary & Cultural Festival-2020 (BLCF-2020) is starting today (Wednesday) at Islamia University, Bahawalpur.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Dr Athar Mahboob (TI) in an exclusive interview with our Radio Pakistan Bahawalpur Correspondent Sajjad Parvez said that this cultural fiesta is the first of its kind is being held with the of collaborations of Radio Pakistan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Arts Council, and Parks and Horticulture Authority.

The opening ceremony of the festival will be held later today, in which Renowend Columnist Wajahat Masood (Pride of Performance) will deliver key note address on the topic of Role of Universities for the promotion of arts, culture and research related activities in Pakistan. While Renowned Historian Dr Shahid Rizvi and Senior Parliamentarian and Poet Syed Tabish Alwari (TI) will also address the ceremony. Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Dr Ather Mahboob will present welcome address while Commissioner Bahawalpur, Asif Iqbal Ch will be the chief guest. He told that the historic city of Bahawalpur has richly been endowed with the legacy of Sufya-e-Karam in aspects of peace, harmony and tolerance and in order to revive this rich culture, the BLCF-2020 has assembled the finest and most prestigious of national literati at one place, for one occasion, and for one main objective- To Inspire and Enlighten Our Youth and Literati with True Essence of Our Culture.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ather Mahboob further stated that in the Festival, a special Media Conclave will be held on tomorrow morning at 1030 AM on the theme of “ Kashmir Issue-Mode of Communication, Social Media and Youth” which will be attended by Renowned Columnist Wajahat Masood ( Pride of Performance), Senior Anchor Mujahid Barelvi and Naeem Masood, Director News and Current Affairs, Radio Pakistan Abdul Hadi Mayar, Senior Scholar and Researcher Shirin Gul and Renowned Historian, Prof Dr Aftab Gillani. This special Media Conclave will be moderated Radio Pakistan Bahawalpur’s Deputy Controller News, Sajjad Parvez.

Responding to a question, the Vice Chancellor said that the event is also hosting many simultaneous events featuring Qiraat and Naat Competition, Digital Media Competition, Drama/Theatrics, Folk Music, Bilingual Declamation Contest, Pet Show, a grand Book Exhibition, Art Display and Food-Fest across the university’s Baghdad Ul Jadeed Campus.