LAHORE, Oct 10: Those behind the much-awaited re-launch of the Pak Tea House, once a hub of Halqa-i-Arbab-i-Zauq, the renowned literary circle, have ignored many a literati who used to be its stars.

Family of an eminent poet, teacher and writer, late Shohrat Bokhari, has the same grievance against the curators of the historic Pak Tea House.

Farkhanda Bokhari, widow of the late Shohrat Bokhari, in a letter written to information minister Pervez Rashid deplores that the authorities ignored the contribution and stature of late Bokhari while reviving the place.

Recalling a brief visit to the Pak Tea House, Ms Bokhari says she did not find even a single portrait of her husband at the historic place which was once second home to Prof Bokhari who died on Oct 11, 2001.

Talking to Dawn, senior columnist and writer Intizar Husain said Shohrat Bokhari is not the only figure ignored by the authorities while reopening the venue that used to be literati’s haunt.

He says the name of Shohrat Bokhari was included in the list prepared by a committee mandated by the Punjab government to select pictures and profiles of the personalities who were part of of the tea house, for display.

The authorities, however, dropped many such names, including Shohrat Bokhari’s, recommended by the committee, he said. Instead, some others who had never been associated with the circle were given place on the walls of the tea house, he adds. — Wajih Ahmad Sheikh