Three renowned personalities, who have been integral to the creation of Pakistan, its projection at the United Nations and flowering of melodic culture of the country were paid rich tributes during this past week.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was remembered with reverence on December 25, when his 172nd birthday was celebrated throughout the country. A number of meetings sponsored by educational, social and cultural organisations and different political groups were held in Lahore to celebrate the occasion.
Speakers representing different walks of life and organisations paid glowing tributes to the political sagacity, statesmanship and leadership quality of the great leader of the Muslims of South Asia.
He succeeded in galvanising a dispirited people into a united nation, which under his unparalleled leadership waged a relentless freedom struggle that culminated in the surfacing of Pakistan on the political map of the world on August 14, 1947.
Special programmes aired by Pakistan Television and a number of private channels and special supplements issued by national newspapers were the other highlights of the celebrations on December 25.

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On December 24, the inspiring collection "Patras Kay Mazameen" and other works of late Professor Ahmed Shah Bokhari, who used Patras as his pen-name, were formally launched at the Bokhari Auditorium, Government College University in the presence of a number of well known literati, scholars and students.
The website included articles and features written on the late professor, who became a leading light at the United Nations, where he projected Pakistan and voiced the grievances of the people from other Muslim countries then occupied by colonial countries.
An orator of matchless qualities, an experienced diplomat and a teacher par excellence the Peshawar-born scholar in English and an essayist in Urdu, Professor Bokhari taught at Government College, Lahore from 1922-25, 1927-1939 and 1947-1951 as a teacher and its Principal.
He was selected in 1951 to represent Pakistan at the United Nations, where he also served as Under Secretary Incharge of its Information Department. On December 5, 1958 he died in New York where he was laid to rest in a local cemetery.
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Senate Chairman Muhammadmian Soomro addressed the annual Christmas pageant at St. Thomas Center, Raiwind, a suburb of Lahore, on December 22 by stating that Christmas brings message of happiness and love for the mankind and people should vow to serve the ailing humanity and end extremism from society.
Former Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasim Hasan Shah, Bishop of Gulf and Chairman IBADAT Rev. Azad Marshall and Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Joyce Rufin Julius were among the attendees at the well organised function. Appreciating the role of IBADAT Foundation, Soomro said that it was serving ailing humanity and imparting education to the needy students with a missionary zeal.
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Late Melody Queen Nur Jehan was the other distinguished Pakistani whose services for the promotion of Pakistani melodic culture were remembered on December 23, her 5th death anniversary, which was observed by those associated with the film industry, radio and TV artistes and cultural organisations. Different TV channels aired special commemorative programmes about the late artiste and newspapers were bedecked with articles on the persona, achievements and creative competence of the late legendary actress and playback singer. Several meetings were held in Lahore under the aeiges of cultural organisation wherein glowing tributes were paid to the late singer.
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On December 22, a 24-member delegation of All India Progressive Writers Association arrived in Lahore to participate in the 100th birthday celebration of Syed Sajjad Zaheer. A special meeting sponsored by Progressive Writers Association of Pakistan was convened at a local hotel to accord formal welcome to members of the Indian delegation. The Indian delegation, which was led by Dr Ali Javed, professor of Urdu at Delhi University, included among others such luminaries as Professor Govind Parsad, Jawahar Lal University, Prem Chand Gandhi, General Secretary Rajisthan Journalists Association and Noor Sajjad, the daughter of late litterateur Syed Sajjad Zaheer. Mutually complimentary speeches were made by members of the Indian delegation and their Pakistani hosts in which the need to foster frequent people-to-people visits was stressed.
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Addressing the participants of the introductory session of Sufiana Kalam Certificate Course on December 20, Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Lahore, said that tolerance, respect for human beings, universal brotherhood of mankind and other social and moral values could be promoted through Sufi poetry. "Sufis from the four provinces of Pakistan", he said, "have left behind a rich literary heritage, which can help our people in reviving old socio-cultural values in society". "Sufi messages" he added, "can help address individual and collective social issues". It was the first ever programme of its kind launched by a Pakistani university, which did not prescribe age limit for enrolment.
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On December 23 the Director-General, Parks and Horticulture Authority, Lahore kicked off a three-day celebrations connected with the third anniversary of Tourist Street, Old Anarkali in Lahore.
A cultural show comprising folk music, puppet and magic shows and a display by the famous Babu Band of Lahore were among the events included in the ceremonies. The stage play "Janey na paye" scripted and produced by Iftekhar Haider opened at Lahore Arts Council this past week. It will be staged daily for as long as it will draw crowds at the Alhamra Hall in Lahore.