Punjab Minister for Higher Education Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan and Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman have announced cash awards for the cast and technical team of Government College University, Lahore Dramatics Club for staging Bano Qudsia's Urdu Play "Mukhtarnama" in a highly professional and dedicated manner. Mukhtarnama was written by Bano Qudsia during martial law. The play emphasizes the necessity of democracy, but perhaps more importantly; makes a point of stressing the dearth of true democratic values in our culture.
Indian Old Ravian Professor Kumar Upal, noted columnist Munoo Bahi, eminent writer Asghar Naddem Syed, former test cricketer Shafqat Rana, Member Punjab Assembly Mrs. Nazia Raheel and a large number of noted people from all walks of life watched the play staged in connection with the 150th year celebrations of GCU.
Education Minister Rana Mashood said that universities must encourage such co-curricular activities as they played a crucial in highlighting positive image of Pakistan abroad. He applauded the performance of the cast of play, saying they seemly highly trained and professional and could compete with any best drama team of the world.
Addressing the closing ceremony of drama, Vice Chancellor Professor Rahman said theatre had an important function to reform the society. He said it was imperative that university theatre groups to pick up themes which educate as well as entertain. He said that the GCU dramatics Club was established in 1890's during the tenure of Professor Bell and Dallinger as Principal of the College. In that period, the Club mostly staged scenes from Shakespearian plays but this was seldom of elaborate nature.