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).

Shoa Malik

Shoa Malik, currently providing consultancy services in graphic design under the name SHOAWORKS, is an NCA (National College of Arts) graduate with graphic designing and photography as major and minor subjects respectively. She has been a Scholarship holder throughout the course and received the ‘Chughtai award’ for excellence spanning four academic years. Prior to venturing into private consultancy, she was heading the Multimedia department at Techlogix (Pvt.) Ltd., and was part of their setup for four years. Earlier, she gained experience in the world of advertising by working with one of the leading advertising agencies of Pakistan, Evernew Concepts (Pvt.) Ltd.

Her predilection towards art makes poetry, classical music, painting, sketching her cherished interests.

Faisal Haroon

Faisal Haroon has eight years experience as an architect and runs his own private practice in Lahore which he combines with a Lectureship in Architecture at the National College of Arts. Faisal has a B.A. in Architecture from National College of Arts and an M.A. in Architecture from McGill University.

Recently, Faisal's Firm has been commissioned to design the new Science School at Aitchison College. Faisal has traveled to the best schools in USA, UK and Far East collecting valuable information about best practices for design making him the country's only architect with an expert grounding in design of labs and institutes with science facilities.

Mahe Zehra Husain

Mahe Zehra Husain has recently completed her Masters in Mathematics from Punjab University, Lahore. Before that she did her Bachelors in Double Maths and Physics from the same institution. Aside from battling with numbers she is also editor of a national children's magazine, GUSTO, which is a publication of the Alif Laila Book Bus Society in partnership with UniLever Pakistan. Mahe Zehra is also actively interested in science teaching methodologies and has conducted workshops for science teachers in Lahore Grammar School.

Dr. Salman Ahsan

Dr. Salman Ahsan did his PhD and MA in Electronic Materials and Devices at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University and his BS in Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. His interests during graduate studies centered upon the study of surface and interface properties of compound semiconductors, particularly the ZnSe/GaAs interface due to its importance in the development of a blue laser. He built Princeton’s first scanning tunneling microscope, a new technique at the time, as the primary analysis tool for this work. At Princeton, he also acquired several semesters of teaching experience as a preceptor working with Prof. Daniel C. Tsui (Nobel laureate Physics, 1998). 

His work experience includes brief stints at Drexelbrook Engineering (as a summer intern), Philips Research Laboratories (part of doctoral dissertation), the Center for Sensor Technologies (as an NSF fellow) and Nova R&D, Inc. Prior to joining LUMS as the Associate Project Director of the School of Science and Engineering, he was with Linear Technology Corporation for ten years, a semiconductor company specializing in analog integrated circuits, as a process development, device and integration engineer and then as a manager of yields and electrical test.

Muhammad Ishaq Dar

Muhammad Ishaq Dar is the former Finance Minister of Pakistan and Minister for Economic Affairs and Statistics in the PM Yousaf Raza Gillani cabinet. He also served as the Commerce and Finance Minister in the Nawaz Sharif cabinet of 1997-1999. Ishaq Dar was assigned the finance ministry when Sartaj Aziz was posted as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan in 1998. Dar continued on the post till the Sharif government''s overthrow by the military coup of General Pervez Musharraf. Ishaq Dar is also a central leader of PML-N and the parliamentary leader of PML-N in the current Senate session of 2006-2009. He was elected for the only time in the National Assembly in the 1997 general elections, when he won the NA-97 Lahore-VI general seat.

Dars economic policy achievement in the Sharif government was export-led growth as a cornerstone of economic strategy. Being made the finance minister in November 1998, he negotiated an IMF rescue package to meet an economic crisis triggered by sanctions over nuclear tests in May that year. The head of a state-run bank later proclaimed that Whether you call it voodoo economics or Darnomics, he has moved things,referring Darnomics as the unique working of Ishaq Dar when he refused to accept a devaluation or a rise in utility charges or tax rates.

For the 2008 government formation and search for the post of Finance Minister, the coalition partners PML-N and PPP are mulling over PML-N''s Ishaq Dar or PPP''s Naveed Qamar to be the new head of Finance Ministry. But whoever gets the job will have to deal with widening budget and trade deficits in an economy pressured by rising international oil prices and chronic shortages of energy and staples.

He finally won over Naveed Qamar when he was slated to become the Finance Minister in the coalition government of PPP, PML-N, ANP and JUI-F formed after 2008 elections. Naveed Qamar, on the other hand, will be the new Minister for Privatization and Investment, with additional portfolio of Minister for Ports and Shipping.

Anwar Masood

Anwar Masood is a well known Pakistani comic poet but he has also done other genres works. He writes poetry in Urdu, Punjabi and Persian. He was born in Gujrat on 8th November 1935 and migrated to Lahore in 1941. He also got early education form Lahore. Later on in 1947 he went backed to Gujrat and done matriculation from “Public School”. He studies at “Zamindara College Gujrat” and achieved degree of B.A Honor. He taught in Government Islamia High School, Kunjah. He got masters degree in Persian from “Oriental College, Lahore in 1961 and attain gold medal. He started his career as a lecturer in 1962 and taught in different colleges. He got retirement in 1996. Anwar Masood is a multilingual poet. He teaches Persian language and also a poet of Persian, Urdu and Punjabi. His poetry provides message and reflection of original and true culture of Punjab.

He is the only poet who is popular among a lot of people. He describes different aspects of real life in his poetry that has never been described before. His some poems has become so popular in people that when ever he read out his poetry people requested him to recite their poetry again and again before them. His most popular poetry includes “Anar Kali Diyan Shana, Juma Bazaar Jehlam Da Pul, Aj Ke Pakaeay, Umree” and many more.

Rubab Raza

Rubab Raza is a Pakistani swimmer .Rubab Was born on January 15, 1991 at Lahore. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece she became first Pakistani female swimmer to compete at the event when she contested the 50 meter freestyle.

She has won two silver medals and one bronze in the ninth South Asian games held in Islamabad the year 2004 .

Rubab has won a wild card entry for the 2004 Olympics due to her performances in swimming championships around the world. She also became the youngest sportswoman to represent Pakistan in any Olympics event when she took part in the 2004 Olympics at the age of 13.She has won a number of national titles, and has seen success at Asian swimming tournaments.

Amjad Islam Amjad

Amjad Islam Amjad - a great name in Pakistan's literary history. Amjad was born in Sialkot but had his higher education from Lahore. He started his practical life as a lecturer in the Islamia College and thereafter worked as a director in Pakistan Television Centre Lahore from 1975-1979. In 1997, he was appointed as the director general of the Urdu Science Board. At present he is the project director of the Children Library Complex.

Amjad is specially known for his drama writing - but equally captivating are his countless poems that reflect his thoughts about the beautifulness of life and its true face. He is author of more than 40 books, beside many critical works, columns and literary analyses. Amjad Islam Amjad is basically a sensitive poet who through the careful use of similes, metaphors and symbols has become one of the representative voices of his age. He is amongst the most popular poets of today and is known as the house-hold poet of Pakistan, since he is known and recognized everywhere one goes. This is mainly because of his captivating poetry and God-gifted qualities that a personality should possess.

Amjad Islam Amjad has written many a drama series for PTV with "Waaris" being the jewel in the crown. He may or may not write another serial so popular but his poetic talents have been abounding by day and night. His other famous TV dramas include Dehleez, Smandar, Raat, Waqt and Apnay Loug. The collection of his poetry includes: Fishar, Barzakh, Us par, Satwan dar, Zara phir say kehna, Seher aasar, Barish ke aawaz, Itnay khwab kahan rakhoon, Mairay bhe hain kuch khwab and Hum us kay hain.

Qateel Shifai

Qateel Shifai was born on 24th December, 1919. His actual name is Aurangzeb Khan. Qateel Shifai is his nom de plume, the pen-name under which he is known in the world of Urdu poetry. "Qateel" is his "takhallus" and "Shifai" is in honour of his ustaad Hakim Mohammed 'Shifa' whom he considered his mentor.

His father's death at an early age, forced Qateel to quit his education and start his own sporting goods shop. Success eluded him and he moved to Rawalpindi, where he worked at a transport company for a monthly salary of Rs.60. Finally in 1946, Nazir Ahmed called him to Lahore and made him the assistant editor of the monthly 'Adab-e-Latif'.

Qayeel Shifai's first ghazal was printed in the Lahore weekly 'Star', whose editor was Qamar Jalalabadi. In January 1947, a Lahore based film producer asked Qateel to pen the songs for his forthcoming film. His first film as a lyricist was "Teri Yaad". Since then he has won numerous awards as a lyricist. He has had quite a few of his poem collections published, one of which being "Mutriba" which was awarded the highest literature award in Pakistan.

Qateel's primary contribution to Urdu poetry has been to raise the standards of ghazals in films. Though this work was started by Tanvir Alvi and Sahir Ludhianvi,it has been brought to its natural conclusion by Qateel Shifai. His work brought a certain standard to ghazals in films and gave it a certain respectability. His work also brought Urdu poetry closer to the masses by using simple words, quite often words taken from Hindi.

Qateel Shifai has also been known for his collaborations with Jagjit and Chitra Singh on numerous ghazal albums.

Kishwar Naheed

Born in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1940, Kishwar Naheed is one of the best- known feminist poets of Pakistan. In a field dominated by traditional male voices, Naheed, writing in Urdu, was a pioneer of a new, distinctively feminine voice and has produced over the span of thirty years a body of work that is innovative, defiant, political, and self-aware.

Her poetry dared to go beyond the prescribed accepted 'feminine' realms to include hitherto unmined fields of female sexuality, politics, and social issues. In an interview with Rakhshanda Jalil for the Indian daily The Hindu (11/4/2001), Kishwar Naheed explained her writing as an attempt to redefine the man-woman relationship. Rejecting being branded as a radical or a bohemian, she declared herself "a realist" who "never let herself get pushed around by men or by circumstances."

Born into a traditional family that moved to Lahore, Pakistan during the 1947 Partition of the sub-continent, Naheed had to fight to pursue an education in a milieu where women did not go to school and "were not allowed to speak to boys." She studied at home and obtained a high school diploma through correspondence courses, but went on to receive a masters degree in Economics from Punjab University.

Naheed's first collection of poetry, Lab-i goya, published in 1968, won the prestigious Adamjee Prize of Literature. This collection of traditional ghazals was followed by a collection of nazms, by translations of foreign poetry, and by many works in free verse. She also wrote for children and for the daily Jang, published her autobiography in 1994 (it appeared the following year in India), and in 2001 saw her collected poetic work released in a 1312 page volume entitled Dasht-i qais men Lail'a. Her daily columns in Jang were also collected and published in 1999. Her poetry has been translated into English and Spanish and her famous poem "We, sinful women" gave its title to a path-breaking anthology of contemporary Urdu feminist poetry translated and edited by Rukhsana Ahmad, published in London by The Women's Press in 1991.

Kishwar Naheed has held the position of Director General of Pakistan National Council of the Arts before her retirement, has edited a prestigious literary magazine Mah-i naw, and has founded an organization named Hawwa (Eve) whose goal is to help homebound women become financially independent through cottage industries and the marketing of handicrafts.

The Library of Congress has twenty-five works by Naheed in its collection. She read for the Library in Lahore on December 13, 1977.

Bano Qudsia

Bano Qudsia is a writer, intellectual and playwright who is regarded among the best Urdu novelists and short story writers of modern times. She is best known for her novel Raja Gidh. She writes for television and stage in both Urdu and Punjabi languages. The Graduate Award for Best Playwright was conferred on Bano in 1986, followed by the same award for three consecutive years from 1988 to 1990. In 1986, she was also given the Taj Award for Best Playwright.

Umer Mujib Shami

Umer Mujib Shami is among the breed of young newspaper entrepreneurs who have recently joined the ranks of A.P.N.S. He holds Masters Degree in Business Administration from Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS). He had a distinguished educational career and also let the LUMS team to victory in World Business Games held in Georgia USA. He got his initial journalistic training in The News International and worked there as Commerce Reporter for one year before joining LUMS. He remained an avid reader and a regular contributor to different newspapers and periodicals on issue of national importance. 

He also worked in Jardine Fleming, a renowned Honk Kong based investment group for some time. He also briefly worked as editor of weekly “Zindagi” an influential political weekly after his graduation. Mr. Umer Mujib Shami assumed the responsibility of publisher and Managing Editor of Daily Pakistan on January 01, 1999. one of the largest national urdu newspaper. The Newspaper at that time was facing financial difficulties and was confronted by declining revenues in the face of ever increasing competition. However in the last seven years, the newspaper is put back on the road to growth and progress under his management. At present the newspaper is being published from five stations simultaneously and is among the most respected and trusted names in the Pakistani Journalism. He served as the Finance Secretary of APNS from April 2007 to March 2009. The Pakistan group of Publication is at present participating in a number of new venture in media and IT sector, under his management.

Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri

Mrs. Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri, comes from a business family. She did her Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology and History from Kinnaird College – Lahore. She studied Child Psychology at the postgraduate level at the Punjab University. She has also done her Master in Business Administration (MBA) and holds a joint degree issued by the Universities of NYU (USA), LSE (UK), and HEC (France). Mrs. Kasuri founded the Beaconhouse School System in 1975 which is today the largest and oldest private school system in Pakistan, perhaps even in South Asia. It is spread over 30 Cities throughout the country and overseas and has a student body nearing 181,958 and a staff exceeding 15,613. Beaconhouse prepares its student for the Cambridge ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels as well as the local Matriculation examinations.

Seema Aziz

Seema Aziz is an industrialist, a social worker, and an educationist. She founded CARE Foundation in 1988 to educate those children who would otherwise not have gone to school. The CARE concept has blossomed and today CARE manages and runs 200 schools for 135,000 children. CARE receives no funding from any foreign donor agencies or from the Government of Pakistan.

As an industrialist she set up Sefam (Pvt.) Ltd., which manufactures and retails quality embroidered fabrics under the brand name of Bareeze. Seema is also the Managing Director of Sarena Industries and Embroidery Mills (Pvt.) Ltd.

Mehwish Hayat

Mehwish Hayat is a young talented model turned actress from Pakistan who has been voted the ninth sexiest Asian woman in the world by UK's prestigious Eastern Eye magazine in their annual list of the year 2008 and also 2009. As the only Pakistani on the list, this officially makes her the sexiest Pakistani in the world!

Eastern Eye wrote "Mehwish Hayat. Pakistani Princess. If there was a contest to find the most beautiful woman in Pakistan, this model-turned actress would be a front runner. She has announced her arrival with a number of challenging roles in TV dramas and if she doesn't become Pakistan's first international film star we will eat our hats."

This Pakistani Beauty does not rely on her looks alone but is driven by challenging roles. She has already proved her Superb acting skills through some of the most memorable plays of the past few years. Thori si wafa chahiye,telefilm berri,Thori si Khushiyan,Gulaabi Saarhi, Aakhri Saans, Resham si Shaam, Pheeki, Aulaad, Daam-e-Mohabbat, Tohfa, Premlata to name a few. She has several major productions in the pipeline including "Maasi aur malka,Bazaar,Bahu Rani and shehr-e-dil k Darwazey!

As a model she has Also Appeared in Tv Commercials and billboard campaigns for some of the biggest Brands including Habib Oil,COca Cola, Peek Freen (Sooper And CHocolate & Lemon Sandwich Biscuits) ,TANG Juice,Gul-Ahmed,COlgate Toothpaste,Olper's Milk,Brite Total, Dawlance Cook-king Microwave and Dettol Soap.

She is also a part of the "YEH HUM NAHEEN" Anti Terrorism Campaign Representing The Pakistani YOuth All Around The World Through its COmmercials & Interviews, Condemning Terrorism and also putting in her best efforts in bringing Out the Right Image Of her Country And its people in the eyes Of the whole world.

Intensely protective of her privacy Mehwish rarely gives interviews to the press and little is known about her!

Sara Chaudry

Sara Chaudry is a famous Pakistani model and actress born in Lahore in the year 1978. Her real name was Iqra but she changed it to Sara after entering Pakistan fashion industry. She started her career as a model in the year 2000. She also worked in various commercial. She also hosted some programs and awards. Sara is famous for her innocent appearance and cute face. Her debut serial was “behlawa”. Some of her popular serials are “Tareekian”, “malangi”, “Tere janey ke baad”, “dil diya dheleez”, “tere phelo main”, “who rishtey who natay”, “December” and "khuda zameen se gia nahin" . She also works in a comedy program “hum sab umeed se hain”. She also successfully entered the Pakistan film industry and did a film “Uran”.

She entered in Pakistan fashion industry in very early age. According to her she got a chance when she was in 8th grade. She said that she faced a lot of criticism after taking the bold step of actually becoming a model but her parents’ support always helped her to keep on working hard. Later this hard work brought great success for that young lady.

Shazia Manzoor

Shazia Manzoor is a Pakistani Singer ..Shazia Manzoor is a very popular playback singer in the film industry in Pakistan.She got lot of success is very short period .She have very sweet voice .Shazia Manzoor is the singing sensation who has captivated the hearts and minds of the whole nation with her lush and vibrant voice .Shazia's entry into the musical limelight came just six yars ago. She first claimed the spotlight with 'Chan Mere Makhna' and it's success saw Sahzia's delicious and soothing voice mesmerize our lives with a warm glow. .Her Punjabi Songs are also very Popular in Punjabi cinema .

Ghulam Ali

Ghulam Ali is Pakistani ghazala singer .He belongs from famous Patiala gharana . He belongs to a musical family, his father was a vocalist and a sarangi player who initiated Ghulam Ali to music from his childhood. He is very popular ghazal singer .He also beautifully sings Punjabi songs too. Most of his Punjabi songs have been extremely popular. Though from Pakistan, .

Ghulam Ali remains as popular in India as in Pakistan He has a large fan following in Pakistan and India . He also sung songs for Bollywood Films.

Liaqat Baloch

Liaqat Baloch hails from a far-flung area of Muzaffar Gar. He was born in December1952 in Multan. He holds Master Degree in Mass Communication in addition to LLB from University of the Punjab. He was attracted to Islami jamaiat Talba (a sister Organization of Jamaat-e-Islami Paksitan) during his school days.

Before his election as Sectary General in May 2009, he had served the Organization in different capacities at District, provincial and central level. Later he was elected as President, Islami jamiat Talaba Pakistan twice. He took active part in the student’s politics, at University of the Punjab Lahore and was elected Secretary General and then President of the Students Union University of the Punjab. He was elected President of the Asian Students Association in 1978 for championing the cause of student’s fraternity. He has served as member of WAMY (World Assembly of Muslim Youth) and that of IFS (International Federation of Islamic Students Organization). He was awarded Gold Medal for standing first in the MA Mass Communication examination.

He did not start his practical life as a Politician and not as a Lawyer or Journalist, but on the contrary, he Jumped in the arena, as a politician so that he could served the people on much larger scale. He is respected in religious and political circles of the country as a cool minded person. He is advocate of Unity and peace among different sects and schools of thought of the Muslims. That is why he was elected chairman, Milli Yakjeti Council and served as such from 1996 to 1997. He remained Secretary of the Political Bureau of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan from 1994 to 1997. He remained member of the Committee of Jamaat-e-Islami on Information as well.

He was elected member National Assembly thrice from Lahore and led Jamaat-e-Islami as its Parliamentary Party on the floor of the house setting good traditions. He was Chairman Standing Committee for Science and Technology. He also remained member of Business and that of the Public Accounts Committee. He played a key role in the establishment of Network for Human Rights, which is instrument of positive changes in the Society. Besides, he is the President of Al Khidmat Foundation Pakistan and sitting vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Paksitan too. Additionally, he heads the Punjab Chapter of the Party. He has visited Iran, China, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Thai Land, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bangla Desh, Englaind, America, Canada and Norway as a delegate to International Conferences. He was very active in politics from MMA plate-form.

Tauqir Zia

Lt. Gen (R) Tauqir Zia completed his out standing meritorious military service on 14 September 2003. In his brilliant military career, spanning over almost four decades, he has had the honor and privilege to hold the most coveted appointments in command, staff and instruction field, excelling at every level-from a Troop Leader in 19th Lancers to Commander of Army Field Headquarters during the crisis with India in 2001-2002.

As the chairman Pakistan Cricket Board for 4 years, he not only introduced the "Vision 2005", paragon for the promotion and development of Cricket in Pakistan but also managed to implement almost 75% of that Project in every part of the country particularly in the far flung areas of Balochistan, Sind and Frontier.

Shahid Hafeez Kardar

Shahid Hafeez Kardar Governor State Bank of Pakistan and son of Abdul Hafeez Kardar. He is former finance minister of Punjab during early years of Gen Musharraf’s rule.An economist by profession who has been associated with a number of non-governmental organisations, Mr Kardar was inducted by Gen Musharraf as Punjab finance minister soon after the Nawaz Sharif government was toppled in a military coup in 1999. But he quit without completing his three-year tenure, citing difficulties in getting along with the dictatorial policies of the general.

Nazeer Naji

Nazeer Naji, is a senior news columnist in Pakistan's Urdu press. He frequently writes in the country's largest Daily Jang published from Karachi. Naji has a reputation for his in-depth political analysis and strong criticism of the Pakistani Establishment.

Nazir Naji is also a former chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters. He is also famous for his anti mulaism and anti Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. He is the only writer who speaks frequently about Pakistan Army historical blunders and Jamaat-e-Islami role in those blunders. He is also the first one who pointed towards Red Mosque (fitna) secession.

He is considered as a true journalist in Pakistan and one of few who are not on military establishment payroll. Many of Nazir Naji's predictions have turned out to be true including India and Us nuclear deal.

Juggan Kazim

Juggan Kazim (born Jan 07, 1981) Real name Mehr Bano also known as Jay Kazim, is a Canadian and Pakistani actress, model and a television host. She has worked in numerous Pakistani telefilms and is making a mark on the Canadian film scene. She is recognized for her performance in various drama serials, lively anchoring and being featured in music videos. She was nominated for MTV Model of the Year in 2008.

She grew up in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan with an elder sister and a younger brother. She went to Lahore Grammar School, and then to Kinnaird College to do her FA. After completing that, she briefly attended the Kings College, an affiliate of University of Western Ontario in Canada where she claims to have pursued Bachelor of Arts in Media. Kazim moved to Lahore, Pakistan.

Kazim has been involved in media work, since she was four years old. In 1985-86 she did advertisements with Samsonite and other products. Kazim's first commercial play was when she was fourteen years old, which was directed by Mashal Peerzada. However, she started her professional acting and modeling career under the name ‘Jay Kazim’ in Toronto, Canada. She was approached by Sutherland Models in Canada to work as a petite and commercial model. She did two music videos with them and then was approached by Canadian Agents, The Newton Landry Management. She did a Diet Coke Ad which ran for two seasons. She also then did a few more commercials and theater work.

Upon returning to Pakistan, she started her career again with hosting and modeling. In a television show, she announced that she has signed a contract with Shaan to act in three feature films. She says that her passion is acting and she does not want to be recognized as a model.(Wikipedia)

Ayesha Sana

Ayesha Sana is one of the most beautiful,hot and bold compeer,model and TV actress in Pakistan showbiz industry.Ayesha Sana was born in 1972 in Lahore.She graduated from convent of Jesus and Mary in Dehli,India and attended Kinnaird College in Lahore, where she studied law and went on to get an external law degree at the university of London.

“There was a time when I could never take second place to anyone or anything. But now the magic of this person makes me able to just love him from a distance and not even have him reciprocate. It’s like an enchanted spell. I have always believed that what needs to happen happens for the best, so I can only hope”, says Ayesha Sana.

Her first play was a PTV serial based on the story of terrorism, produced by Qaisar Ali Shah which has disputed and never televised. Ayesha never considered acting for television plays as her forte. It was modeling and compering that has caught her imagination. After doing lots of TV commercials it was Hit Sangeet which brought her in the limelight and she was offered lead roles in dramas .So this girl from the mod squad made her first move in show biz .She is one of the rare girls who came from educated families in showbiz world.

Ayesha Sana had participated in different dramas and stage shows in Dubai and European countries. She had preformed in a drama serial ‘Pehli barish’ which has been produced in Germany.It was written by Asghar Nadeem Syed and produced by Zahid Mian and directed by Saleem Tahir .

Her play Aaan was also appreciated which was produced in Dubai directed and produced by Fahim barni in Dubai. My experience as an actress is very nice in abroad. People gave us great honour there we feel happy to see the Pakistani community there. Ayesha’s serial Kanch ke par was a successful one, which had been liked abroad.

She once hosted a television show called Lines of Style. In 2006, she became the host, and member of the board of executives, for PTV’s Morning Show Meena Bazar.Now she has became a popular Icon of show Meena Bazar.

Saadia Mirza

Saadia Mirza’s VIRTUES, the label, is boldly quixotic. Unique in its creations, the outfits are like costumes, defining individual women with a raw power of fascination, which is in all essence characteristic of true femininity.

Concentrating on diversity, Saadia Mirza has expanded her creative energies in five different lines: VANITY, VINTAGE, VISION, VOYAGE, and VISAGE. All dramatic and spectacular, each line offers a myriad of choices for those who are more expressive of their own individuality. From vibrant bridal line to flamboyant glamour and classic silhouettes, from innovative and classy western wear to a colorful and bold blend of east and west and finally the hand made accessories that flaunt uniqueness and class, Saadia Mirza offers that rare option of exclusivity and distinctiveness.

Maheen Karim

Maheen Karim is a graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. After working with globally acclaimed fashion houses in the west Maheen returned to Pakistan to start her own label in spring 2006.

MAHEEN KARIM is a ready to wear label that is Pakistan’s first to specialise in women’s western eveningwear. It focuses on the creation of eclectic luxury garments with the aide of novel cuts and a silhouette with universal charm.

She was recently awarded the prestigious Lux Style Award 2008 for achievement as best Prêt-a-Porter designer in Pakistan. Whilst still in its infancy this label has already seen immense success and soaring sales in prominent boutiques all over Pakistan as well as UAE.

Maheen aims to use the spectacular raw materials and craftsmanship obtainable to her in Pakistan to its fullest promise in order to create garments of global appeal. The passion to create trendy silhouettes and experiment with shape allows her to furnish the woman of 21st century Pakistan and abroad with a sanctuary where she is able find glamour and glitz in a garment without feeling the need to travel overseas in search of grandeur.

Her Spring Summer 2009 collection is an amalgamation of fun spirited holiday eveningwear and luxury occasion wear for the upcoming celebratory season. The new season brings out a host of ravishing new trends and colour palettes. Here we see a munificent use of vibrant inks and glitzy golds at the same time as maintaining the innocence and chastity of ivory and pure white.

These exquisite pieces not only stand out because of the form they take but they are also galvanized in an immaculate elegance with the use of remarkably unusual methods of embellishment. Swarovki crystals embroidered into a tuxedo top dress shirt or even a tailcoat, hence adorning the chic elegance in the woman of today and styling her dapper.

Kamiar Rokni

I am a fashion designer based in Lahore. I have been in the business for almost ten years. I started the label karma in 2000 and helped establish s a leading brand of couture and prêt a porter until parting ways in 2007 to create my own label" Kamiar Rokni". I am a women's wear designer with a fairly wide range, and am comfortable with many styles and enjoy making eastern, western, bridal, fusion, casual and formal clothes. I am very passionate about what I do and have met with success and recognition early on in my career. I have three Lux Style awards under my belt, an Indus style award and a Maku Hari Grande prix award from Japan from my student days.

I see myself working in fashion for as long as I can however recently I have branched out into the world of media. I am a chat show host for Dawn News, my show "No Reservations" is in its third season and I am also a radio jockey for FM89. I occasionally write as a social commentator. I believe in finding avenues to express myself through. One day I intend to act, sing, dance and sail around the world.

Wasim Akram

A dream cricketer. At his best Wasim Akram plays like most of us would wish to. He has complete mastery over swing and seam, and sometimes moves the ball both ways in one delivery. All this comes at high speed from a quick, ball-concealing action, and is backed up by the threat of a dangerous bouncer or deceptive slower delivery. Wasim is rated by many as the best left-arm fast bowler of all time and his career record certainly bears that out - along with the high regard of his contemporaries. 

He hits like a kicking horse, but batsmanship is one skill in which Wasim has underachieved, despite a monumental 257 against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura in 1996-97. He was the natural successor to Imran Khan as Pakistan's leader and captain, but the match-fixing controversies of the 1990s harmed him, blunting his edge and dimming his lustre. Though he reached the 500-wicket landmark in ODIs in the World Cup, he was among the eight players dumped after Pakistan's miserable performance. He retired shortly after, after a brief spell with Hampshire.

Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi

Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is Pakistan's top professional tennis player and is ranked in top 50 doubles players. He is the only Pakistani tennis player to reach the final of a Grand Slam, which he has done in 2010 competing in both mixed doubles and men's doubles at the US Open

Like other pakistani boys, Aisam used to play cricket and soccer in his school. Along with that he started playing tennis as a hobby. It all started when he was 14 years old when his mother took him to the tennis club and they used to play with each other.

"I never thought I would be a professional tennis player when I started", says Aisam

When he turned to 16, he got into the ITF team which sponsored him for two years. This was the turning point of his life. Later on, he had a successful junior career he managed to get to No.7 (in juniors).

In 1998, Aisamul haq became world number 11 player in junior tennis. This achievement made him Pakistan's highest-ranked tennis player. By the time he had defeated several world junior champions including Andy Roddick (American), Taylor Dent (American), Artem Derepaasco, Simon Dickson (British), Oliver Rochus and Nathan Healy (Australian). After that, he mostly played Pakistan Davis Cup team and ATP tournaments and began appearing ITF tournaments all over the world. After winning plenty of titles, Aisam jumped to top 200 players of the world in men's single and was counted in top 100 in doubles.

In 2002, Aisam played with Israel's Amir Hadad in Wimbledon as well as in US Open. They got eliminated in the 3rd and 2nd round of wimbledon and US open respectively.

In 2007, Aisam became the third tennis player of Pakistan to qualify for the Wimbledon. Khwaja Saeed Hai was the first man to represent Pakistan at Wimbledon singles in 1954, 1955 and 1956. Then it was Haroon Rahim who played at Wimbledon in 1976.

Aisam is not the only Tennis player in his family. His mother Mrs Nausheen Ehtesham was also a tennis player winning Pakistan's several ladies single titles in 1982. She has also represented Pakistan in the Fed Cup, which is women’s version of the Davis Cup. Her father Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad was also a tennis player who represented both Pakistan as well as India in Davis Cup. In response to the question asked in an interview about his entry into the Tennis, Aisam said, "Tennis is in my blood". It would not be wrong to say that Aisam inherited Tennis from his ancestors.

Khawaja Saad Rafique

Khawaja Saad Rafique(born November 4, 1962 in Lahore) is a Pakistani politician hailing from Punjab. His father Kh Mohammad Rafiq was a renouned Pakistani politician was one of the pioneers of opposition politics in Pakistan. He is an active central leader of PML-N and has been elected as Member of the Pakistan National Assembly since 2002 and was reelected in the Pakistani General Election in 2008. He was the Federal Minister for Culture, with additional portfolio of Youth Affairs for four months in Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani's first cabinet.

He resigned as the minister on May 12, 2008, along with nine other federal ministers of his party under protest for the restoration of deposed judges. He is a graduate of Government M.A.O. College in Lahore and received his masters from University of the Punjab in 1986. He has previously served as Member of the Punjab Assembly. He was also appointed as the special assistant of prime minister for youth affairs with the status of federal minister of state in 1999. He is a former student leader. He is a member of Central Working Committee of PML-N. He was one of the loudest voices in the country raised against the General Mushurruf dictatorship.

Moonis Elahi

Moonis Elahi is a 3rd generation politician. He is the elder son of Ch. Pervaiz Elahi former Chief Minister of Punjab, nephew of Ch. Shujaat Hussain and grandson of Ch. Zahoor Elahi who was a very prominent politician of his time.

Moonis Elahi was born on 12th April 1976 at Lahore. He studied at Lahore American School, where he studied till 10th grade and from there he moved to the London campus of the same school and graduated from there. He went to pursue his higher education from Wharton School of Business, Pennsylvania USA and did his BBA from there.

After the completion of his studies he returned to Pakistan in 1999. He took part in the general election held on 18th February 2008 for the first time and elected as MPA from Gujrat.

Meeran Karim

Meeran Karim is a political activist and organizer from Lahore, Pakistan, campaigning for a number of democratic causes, including the restoration of the deposed Pakistani judges in 2007, when she rallied with the masses in the streets and worked with a local newspaper covering the historic Lawyers’ Movement that swept Pakistan. In order to encourage youth activism, she established a youth parliament at her school which provides a platform for young people to voice their opinions. In order to promote women’s empowerment, she interned at AGHS legal aid cell in Pakistan, which provides legal aid to female victims of violence. She worked under her mentor, the prominent human rights’ lawyer, Asma Jehangir.

Ms. Karim represented Pakistan and young people from all over the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland earlier this year, and she has taken part in other conferences, including the International Youth Leadership Conference (Prague, Czech Republic), the Young Leaders Conference (Lahore), and an Initiative for Peace (India).

When Ms. Karim was nine, a military dictator overthrew the democratically elected government in Pakistan, and as a result, she attended her first protest at a relatively young age. Since then, she has always been concerned with the challenges facing Pakistan. Later this year, she will be starting her undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College (US), where she hopes to study international relations and political science. After completing her education, Ms. Karim intends to return home to work for Pakistan.

Shahbaz Sharif

Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, also known as Shahbaz Sharif is a well known Pakistani politician and currently President of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N). He is the brother of Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister of Pakistan. He is the incumbent Chief Minister of Pakistan's most populous province Punjab since 2008. Previously, he held this position from 1997 to 1999, when his government was overturned along with all other provincial and federal governments by dictator Pervaiz Musharraf then army chief of Pakistan, in a pre-planned coup.

History and Background

He was considered a very strict administrator and good chief minister of Punjab but he also get criticism that he was a powerful chief minister of Punjab because his brother was Prime Minister of Pakistan.

He has credit of renewing Lahore and lot of development work in Punjab. Despite all controversies, Shahbaz Sharif is remembered as the best cheif minister any province in Pakistan ever had.

Family

Mian Shahbaz Sharif is the second son of a Kashmiri, named Mian Muhammad Sharif. Shahbaz Sharif's first marriage was with his cousin Nusrat Shahbaz in 1973, with the approval of his father, the late Mian Muhammad Sharif. They have two sons, Hamza and Salman and three daughters. Hamza Shahbaz is in politics and is a member of the National Assembly. Salman Shahbaz, educated at Oxford, concentrates mainly on business. Shahbaz Sharif's second marriage was with Aaliya Honey in 1993-94. They have one daughter, Khadija. He divorced her while in exile in Saudi Arabia. It is claimed that Shahbaz Sharif has a third marriage with Tehmina Durrani but he never publicly admitted it. This is the third marriage for both of them.

First term Chief Minister of Punjab

He was considered a strict and demanding administrator as the chief minister of Punjab. He received some criticism because he took charge of the office when his brother was the Prime Minister of Pakistan [citation needed] He was ousted along with his brother in the 1999 military coup, which brought Pervez Musharraf to power. He had been a famous chief minster due to his strict administration, workaholic nature and public welfare projects all over the Punjab province. He is known as Khadama Punjab these days.

Exile

Shahbaz Sharif lived in exile in London with his brother, the exiled former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif after coming from Saudi Arabia. He once tried coming back to Pakistan following a High Court decision that he was free to come back whenever he wanted. On May 11, 2004 his plane landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore but he was arrested and again deported to Saudi Arabia within a few hours.

President of Pakistan Muslim League (N)

Mian Shahbaz Sharif was elected President of PML (N) on 3 August 2002 while in exile in Saudi Arabia. He was re-elected President of PML(N) for a second term on 2 August 2006.

Popular among educated, civil & armed services and the middle-class, he is thought of as a strong future candidate to become Prime Minister, of Pakistan.

Return to Pakistan

In August 2007, Supreme Court of Pakistan gave its verdict which allowed Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif to return back to Pakistan.

On September 7, 2007, judge Shabbir Hussain Chatha ordered police to arrest Shahbaz Sharif, brother of Nawaz Sharif and produce him before the court, after the hearing in Lahore. The court ruled that "Shahbaz Sharif should be arrested (at) whichever airport he lands at." Nawaz Sharif too faces detention on the pair's planned return from exile to Pakistan on September 10, 2007, to challenge President Pervez Musharraf's 8-year military rule.

His brother Mian Shahbaz Sharif changed return plans at the last minute.

Sharif was not allowed to participate in the 2008 elections because of allegations against him. His son Hamza Sharif was supposed to run from a NA seat in Lahore but due to the death of a candidate the elections were postponed.

Second term as Chief Minister

On 8 June 2008, Shahbaz Sharif was elected as Chief Minister of Punjab, receiving 265 votes from the members of the 371-seat provincial assembly. He was the only candidate, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Q boycotted the vote. Speaking after his election, he called on Musharraf to resign. He won a vote of confidence on 9 June, receiving 266 votes.

Mian Shahbaz Sharif after becoming Chief Minister of Punjab was welcomed by the public and media who were keen to see how he pursues his unfinished agenda of public welfare and reforms in education sector.

His second term as Chief Minister lasted until 25 February 2009, when a three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Justice Moosa K. Leghari, declared him ineligible to contest elections, took away his seat in the Punjab Assembly, and thereby removed him from office. On 31 March 2009, a five-member larger bench of the Supreme Court granted stay order on an earlier decision of the apex court, in which Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif were disqualified from holding public office. As a result, Shahbaz Sharif returned to office as Chief Minister. He is fighting against corruption in the society in general and government functionaries in particular. He seems to have vision; a mega plan to transform Lahore into a true High-Tech City in Pakistan as well as an important high tech center in the entire world.