Huma Mulji

Huma Mulji's work has moved more and more towards looking at the absurdities of a post-colonial society in transition, taking on board the visual and cultural overlaps of language, image and taste, that create the most fantastic collisions. She describes the time we live in as moving at a remarkable speed and in regard to Pakistan Mulji refers to the experience of 'living 200 years in the past and 30 years in the future all at once'. She is interested in looking at this phenomenon with humor, to recognize the irony of it, formally and conceptually. Rather than dwell on and follow existing theoretical issues of living and working in a post-colonial nation, and applying those stagnant studies to a lived existence she examines the pace of cultural change through her art work.

Mulji's sculptural works respond to the possibilities of making things in Pakistan, and embrace low-tech methods of “making”, together with materials and forms that come from another time, and that are “imported”, “newly discovered” or “re-appropriated”. For example the work Arabian Delight is a low-tech taxidermy camel, stuffed in a suitcase. It plays with ideas of travel, transition, and of mental and physical movement, combined with an old world symbol of the camel, forced into the suitcase, looking formally uncomfortable, but nonetheless happy. This particular work also examines the relationship between Pakistan and the Gulf States and the manipulation of the Governments of Pakistan, the “Arabisation” of the country, for years, towards all but wiping out a “south Asian” identity, to replace it with a “Muslim” identity. For Mulji, this in itself, is forced, unnatural, and disagreeable. However, she also approaches this problem from the angle of someone living within it: therefore looking at it with humor, and recognizing the absurd results of the situation, in daily life, and through interactions with each other, and the world.

The photographic series Sirf Tum (only you) from 2004 and from 2008, similarly address such absurd collisions. Sirf Tum deals with issues related to intimacy in public spaces. Surveying the frame through the lens, the camera zooms in, becoming the voyeur, awkwardly, confidently, watching and disapproving at once. The protagonists are second hand dolls bought from piles of toys sold around Lunda Bazaar in Lahore, incidentally brought into Pakistan with salvation army clothing from another world, leftover from some child’s summer holiday. Already on the Periphery of society, the naked couple is placed in locales that challenge and are challenged by their scale, creating a hyper-real space, a hyper-real narrative, a “plastic” story, convincing and disturbing at the same time. In the 2008 series, the two seemingly interactive narratives engage with each other visually, but don’t really converse. Which of the narratives is real? This also brings into question contemporary media images, and the phenomenon of “photoshop”, where the fine line between truth and untruth becomes a matter of belief.

The newer work, with the taxidermic buffaloes, and the photographs of buffaloes in the landscape, continue to be informed by the absurd and incongruous visual confrontations in a country desiring to be at once the most forward-looking, and unable and unwilling to negotiate its traditional values with this idea of progress.

Heavenly Heights and Her Suburban Dream both attempt to juxtapose these colliding metaphors, to envision this surreal reality. The work avoids easy taking of sides, or didactics, in imagining a future urban landscape of Pakistan. Sculpturally too, the work underscores the conflict. The suspension of volume and weight, and the pushing of anatomical possibilities to emphasize the tension.

Shahzia Sikander

Shahzia Sikander (b. 1969, Lahore, Pakistan) is a painter, living in New York City. She earned a BFA in 1992 at the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan; and an MFA in 1995 at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island.

She has had solo exhibitions at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (1999/2000) and at the Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago (1998). Her work has been shown in group exhibitions at the Whitney Museum (1999/2000 and 1999), at the Third Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia (1999), and at the Ludwig Museum, Cologne, Germany (1999).

Sikander has been schooled in the miniature painting tradition of Pakistan, and combines the historic iconography and technique with her own aesthetics resulting in a hybrid of traditional and contemporary styles. The imagery in her work references the tensions that exist in Islam, Hinduism and Christianity as well as her personal history, politics, and sexuality. Religion is a significant element in her art as well as her personal life, as she is a practicing Muslim. Sikander explores in particular, the role of Muslim women and challenges the view Westerners have of associating Islam only with terrorism and oppression of women.

She has been granted the "genius grant" for 2006 by the MacArthur Foundation.

Imtiaz Safder Warraich

Choudhry Imtiaz Safder Warraich, Minister of State for Communications is a seasoned politician and remained a prominent practicing lawyer. Mr. Imtiaz remained MPA from Punjab during 1993-1996,MNA during 2002-2007 and presently is also a Member of the National Assembly since 2008 and with the portfolio of Minister of State for Communications. Her emained Joint Secretary and then General Secretary of the Gujranwala Bar during 1977 and 1983 respectively. Mr. Warraich was elected twice as Member Zilla Council, Guranwala while as elected for four terms as Director, Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank, Gujranwala. In 1996, he remained as Advisor to the Chief Minister Punjab. Mr. Warraich enjoys huge popularity among the masses and is still the Vice President of the PPPP Punjab and Divisional President of the PPPP Gujranwala Division.

Mr.Warraich has a Masters degree and LLB from Punjab University.

Mr. Imtiaz Safdar Warraich was born on 15thof November, 1952 in Gujranwala, He has traveled widely to many countries and his hobbies include Reading and Trekking.

Dr Saeed Elahi

Dr Saeed Elahi son of Sh Hameed Elahi was born on October 18, 1959 in Lahore. He obtained the degree of MBBS in 1985 from Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. A medical doctor, who has been elected as Member, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in general elections 2008 and is functioning as Parliamentary Secretary for Health. He has travelled to UK, USA, KSA, UAE, India and Nepal.

Choudhry Shahbaz Ahmed

Ch Shahbaz Ahmed son of Ch Muhammad Sharif was born on December 14, 1973 in Lahore and is a graduate from Government Dyal Singh College, Lahore. He started his political carrier as student leader on MSF platform at Dyal Singh College, Lahore. He served as President MSF Dyal Sing College, Lahore during 1993 and General Secretary Punjab MSF during 1995. He has served as Councillor, MCL during 1998-99, as Naib Nazim, Union Council during 2001-02 and as Nazim, Union Council during 2005. He has served as Additional General Secretary Lahore of his party during 2005-09. A businessman who has been elected as Member, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in general elections 2008.

Rana Sanaullah Khan

Rana Sanaullah Khan, an Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan, who has to his credit a long and hard struggle against the dictatorship for the restoration of democracy, revival of the Constitution and a strong voice for human rights. He was many a time tormented and was also put behind the bars for his struggle but he always stood firm against all odds and never compromised on his principles. He was first elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in 1990 and served as Deputy Opposition Leader during 1990-93. He also remained Member of Punjab Assembly during 1997-99. He reached Punjab Assembly for the third term in 2002 and functioned as Deputy Opposition Leader and as Parliamentary Leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N) during 2002-07. He has returned to Punjab Assembly for the fourth term and is functioning as Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs.

Mian Shafqat Ali

Mian Shafqat Ali, former chairman of Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front, graduated in 1980. He did LLB 1983. He also holds Master Degrees in Philosophy (1985) and Political Science(1987). Attended executive courses of AOTS in Japan (1993). Mian Shafqat Ali is Director of Ramna Pipe & General Mills (Pvt) Ltd, Ramna Fitting and Pipe Industries (Pvt) Ltd and Ramna Steel (Pvt) Ltd. He is one of the founding members of LTIA from 1987 to 1997. He was team leader which organized PIAF and was elected first Chairman of PIAF. Mian Shafqat Ali served the business community as President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Nahid Akhtar

In the early 1970s, a cultural program, 'Loak Mela', used to be telecast from Islamabad television station.

The show was hosted by Aksi Mufti, son of the popular writer-cum-thinker, Mumtaz Mufti.

Tufail Niazi presented his items in that musical program and composed songs, as well.

Apart from numerous artists who made their appearances, two real sisters from Multan are worth mentioning.

They were Hamida Akhtar (elder sister) and her younger sister, Nahid Akhtar.

Both these sisters sang songs and received applause from music lovers.

Shortly afterwards, Aksi Mufti married Hamida Akhtar and the latter quit singing.

On the other hand, Nahid Akhtar continued her fabulous journey to the world of music. She proved her versatility as a singer at an early age.

It seems that nature intended her for the tranquil pursuit of music, by rendering it her supreme delight.

Within no time, she had grown into her name.

Nahid lent her harmonious voice to the ghazal of Shan-Ul-Haq Haqqi, and became a celebrity overnight:

'Tum say ulfat kay taqazay na nibha ye jaatay, warna hum ko bhi tamanna thi keh chahay jaatay'.

Offers started pouring in from Pakistani film composers.

Moreover, Runa Laila, who was well known for jolly songs, had moved to Bangladesh.

Hence, musicians looked forward to record merry songs in Nahid's voice, hoping that Nahid will fill in the void, left by Runa's departure.

That trust was well placed.

Nahid's admirers need to understand that she was a television singer before working her way up to films.

She hit it big in 1974 and successfully recorded this song:

'Dil dee wana dil' (The film 'Nanha Farishta', film director, Khursheed).

In the same year, 1974, Nahid became the cynosure of all eyes and lenses.

The following song was recorded in her strongly appealing voice:

'Kisi meherbaan nay Aa kay meri zindigi saja dee, meray dil ki dharkano mein nai Aarzu jaga dee.' (The film 'Shama', 1974, directed by Nazar Shabab)

The song 'Meherbaan' was a huge plus in her singing career.

Her stylistic mastery and trade marked television appearances continued through the 1970s.

Increasingly, though, her attention was turned to the cinema. Films became the topmost priority to Nahid, while television went down to the next level.

Interestingly enough, every aspect of her life had changed.

Her face, her dressing, her etiquettes had dramatically altered.

From the little known Nahid Akhtar, (with no make up) she elevated herself to the glittering world of movies.

Most importantly, she reveled in a glorious new lifestyle.

Further, her admirers were certain that Nahid's next logical step would be to work in the movies, in the lead roles.

In fact, she received quite a few offers from the film producers. However, she regretted all such offers and invested all her efforts towards singing.

Nahid believed that if she could envision it, she can be it. The secret of her highly successful life is that she never stopped envisioning.

Her voice in the film 'Teray, meray sapnay', is a breathtaking story of achievement:

'Mein ho gaye dildar ki '(The first film of actress Sangeeta as a producer)

The film 'Dekha jaaye gaa', is a shining instance of one artist making a big difference. In Nahid's case, through the power of her voice:

'Pyar kabhi karna na kum, mar jaa ye gee teri Aashi'. (Film director: Jan Mohammad Jaman, pictured on Barbara Sharif).

Nahid, widely acclaimed for her song in the film 'Mohabbat zindigi hay' (Director: Iqbal Akhtar), won the hearts of the Pakistani public: 'Tu tu tu Tara Tara'.

The characteristic vibrato in her voice had always mesmerized the moviegoers.

The lasting impact of this graceful lady, and her tragic voice really hit home.

What's more, she could speak the tragic sense of the story:

'Allah he Allah kiya karo, dukh na kisi ko diya karo, jo duniya ka Malik hai, naam usi ka liya karo'.

The lyrics of the above mentioned song are exemplary for its timeliness.

Admittedly, it was a song and a voice that took Nahid much higher on the cliff climb (The film 'Pehchaan', director, Pervez Malik, marvelously pictured on Nayyar Sultana It was a vision that still shimmers in our mind).

Nahid's resonant voice shines through in Pervez Malik's movie, 'Talaash', pictured on Barbara Sharif:

'Dekha jo mera jalwa, to dil thaam logay, kahan tak jafaon say kaam logay'

'Pyar ki Aag nigahoan mein chupaye rakhna'.

Songs are part of the fabric of Pakistani life.

As for Nahid, her reputation among her fans was so solid that the singer and the real person became one.

She recorded the following songs with rare passion and feeling:

'ye duniya rahay na rahay meray hum dum, kahani mohabbat ki zinda rahay gee'(The film 'Mera naam hai mohabbat', directed by Shabab Kiranvi).

'Tujhay pyar kartay kartay, meri umar beet jaaye, mujhay mauth bhi jo Aaye, teray bazu on mein Aaye'.

'Hum na hoan gey to tumhay jaan-e-wafa, yaad Aayein gee hamari baatain'.

The not-so-distance past could evoke so many memories, examples:

'Sub kuch khuda say maang liya tujh ko maang kar'( The film 'Teray meray sapnay', Duet: Nahid Akhtar-Mehdi Hasan).

'Tarasta hai ye dil tujhay pyar kar loon'.

.

'Kabhi bindiya hansay'.

In her entire musical career, Nahid took keen interest in her profession. She always strived to attain a first class level of performance, examples:

'Aankhon mein pyar tera' (The film 'Faisla', directed by Javed Fazil, Duet: Nahid Akhtar-Akhlaq Ahmed).

'Touch me if you can'.

'O my love'.

'Mehendi rachay gee meray haath'.

'Meray ruthay sanam'.

Following her breakthrough performances in various movies, she won immense popularity after recording the following romantic scores:

'Kehti hai raat bhigi , bhigi' (The film 'Dulhan ik raat ki', directed by Mumtaz Ali Khan, Duet: Nahid Akhtar-Ahmed Rushdi).

'Sajna ray dikha day hans kay' (The film 'Aawaz', directed by Zafar Shabab)

'O jait jee Aaj mein' (The film 'Shabana').

'Barsaat ka mausum hai' (The film 'Waqt', directed by Zafar Shabab).

'Mujh ko manzil bhi tum batao gey' (The film 'Waqt').

Nahid joined forces with another cinematic legend, A.Nayyar, recording this perennial party-hearty score. What brings this to mind are the birthdays:

'Jungle mein mungle, teray he dum say, sub nay ye shore macha ya hai, saalgira ka din Aaya hai' (The film 'Zindigi', directed by Nazrul Dada).

The following two songs describes the powerful role she has played in the lives of her myriad of fans:

'Apno, bay gano say naraaz hoon mein'(The film 'Naraaz', directed by Javed Fazil, Duet: Nahid Akhtar-Mohammad Ali Sheyki).

'Pyar karain hum Aaja, Aaja' (The film 'Andaata', directed by Iqbal Yusuf)

She achieved fame beyond her wildest dreams, shortly after this romantic song was first played over the radio:

'Tha yaqeen Aa ain gee ye rataan kabhi, unsay ho way gee mulaqatan kabhi (The film 'Surraiya Bhopali',directed by Hasan Tariq).

Equally impressive was her singing voice in the film 'Begum Jaan', also directed by Hasan Tariq).

'Begum jaan bhala kya janay'.

Her leading male singers over the years included Ahmed Rushdi, Mehdi Hasan, A.Nayyar and Akhlaq Ahmed.

Nahid also sang for Punjabi movies. Prominent among them are the following two songs:

'Nith chamkay tay charyaan da dil dharkay' (The film 'Amar, Akbar, Anthony', directed by Haider Chaudhry).

'Lahore deyaan sarkaan tay'.

Besides, she also rendered her voice for the following movies:

'Kharidaar', 'Anokhi', 'Uf ye beweyaan', 'Koshish', 'Hum say hai zamana'.

While still at the pinnacle of her singing career, she rendered her exceptional voice to record national songs for Pakistan television:

'Hamara percham, ye pyara percham, Azeem millat, Azeem percham'.

'Hum maayain, hum behnay, hum baytiyaan, qaumoan ki izzat hum say hai'.

'Jug jug jeeye mera pyara watan'.

Nahid Akhtar, a well-established singer of the silver screen and television did complete justice to her craft when recording the following songs:

'Aati hai pawan, jaati hai pawan'.

'Jahan tera naqshay qadam dekhtay hain'.

The following songs made her more famous than ever:

'Tera mera pyar jo zara bhi hua kum'.

'Dil sambhala na jaye'.

'Aray logo pakro'.

The simplicity and innocence of her voice, combined with lucid poetry, resulted in the following scores:

'Ayesi chalo na chaal'.

'Socha tha mainay dil'.

'Main bhi sharabi, mera yaar bhi'.

'Andaaz wohi apnaya hai, teray dil ko jo pasand Aaye'.

Nahid sang the following numbers in her profoundly effective voice. They are still fresh in our imagination:

'Ye Aalam shauq ka'.

'Tamaam umar tujhay zindigi ka pyar milay'.

'Aisay mausum may chup kyon ho'.

'Tera mera aisa naata hai'.

'Dekhay manay na dilbar mera'.

The songs mentioned below are those ,which gave Nahid a legendary stature as a singer:

'Main to na boli, meray boal uthay kankna'.

'Baant raha tha jab khuda, saray jahan ki naimatain'.

'Teray siva duniya mein kuchh bhi nahi'.

Nahid earned the Nigar Award for best singer for the film 'Shama' in 1974.

Nahid earned the Nigar Award for best singer for the film 'Pehchaan' in 1975.

Nahid earned the Nigar Award for best singer for the film 'Hum say hai zamana' in 1985.

Nahid made singing her profession. She called it quits after she got married. But not before seeing her songs win generation after generation of new admirers.

The following immortal lyrics will live in the hearts and minds of every adorer.

While recording them, she looked more than a singer. Hers was the voice of truth:

'Sheesha toot kay jur sakta hai, dil na juray jo tutay,

kitna hai bay dard wo insaan, pyar ka ghar jo lutay,

Aisa zulm na kya karo, dukh na kisi ko diya karo,

Jo duniya ka Malik hai, naam usi ka liya karo,

Allah he Allah, Allah he Allah, Allah he Allah'.

Shahzad Ali Malik

Shahzad Ali Malik, President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) belongs to a prominent business family of Pakistan. He is director of the Guard Group of companies, which was founded in 1949 by his late father Mr. Muhammad Shafi Malik (Sitara-e-Imtiaz). The group had a humble beginning with an auto spare parts store but now has a diversified interest in manufacturing automobile spare parts, lubricants, food and agriculture.

Born in Lahore, Shahzad Ali Malik got his education from St Anthony’s High School and Forman Christian College Lahore. After joining the family’s business he ventured into research led food and agriculture business as C.E.O. of Guard Agricultural Research & Services (Pvt) Ltd. His research team headed by Late Dr. Abdul Majeed (Pride of Performance) introduced extra long grain Super Basmati Rice which was demand of the International market, bringing quantum jump in country’s export. He became the founder member and is former Chairman of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP).

His pioneering research and introduction of high yielding hybrid rice has ensured further food security for Pakistan thereby making a contribution towards uplifting of socio-economic standards in rice growing areas of rural Sindh and Balochistan Hybrid rice has double the yield of conventional rice. This has helped in poverty alleviation where rice hybridization took place.

Furthering his objective he has led the way with he joined venture with China – firstly, with Yuan Longping High Tech Agriculture Co. - World’s No.1 technology provider and inventor of hybrid rice. Secondly with Biocentury Transgene Technology Co. Ltd. China’s leading technology provider for genetically modified cotton hybrids and other major crops. He is also the founder member and Chairman of Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP)

Shahzad Malik has an abiding interest in sports, particularly Motor and Polo. Himself winner of Pakistan’s first Motor Rally (1978) driving a Toyota Corolla. He is founder Chairman of the Punjab Motor Racing Club (PMRC).

He also served as Vice President, Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2004. Former Chairman of the Bank of Punjab. Shahzad Ali Malik is recipient of the Businessman of the year Award 1997 in recognition of his services rendered to the rice industry.

Sohaib Khan

Sohaib Khan did his PhD in Computer Science from University of Central Florida and his BS in Electronic Engineering from GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi. He is currently Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science, Lahore University of Management Sciences. His research interests lie in the fields of computer vision, image processing and pattern recognition. In particular he has done recent work on tracking and surveillance, video segmentation, face processing and video geo-registration. He has received more than Rs. 3.5 million as a research grant from a public sector organization for work on image registration. He is also providing consulting in the computer vision area to local public and private organizations. He has published more than ten journal and conference publications and has two book chapters to his credit. Dr. Khan was the recipient of Hillman Fellowship for excellence in graduate research, UCF (2001) and also received the merit-based Graduate Enhancement Fellowship, UCF (2000 and 2001).