PESHAWAR: A committee comprising former colleagues and students of the noted TV actor and academician late Prof Syed Ziaul Qamar was constituted here on Sunday to make arrangements for paying tribute to the legendary actor and philanthropist.

The committee held its first meeting at the Khyber Lamps Office here chaired by Dr Khalid Khan.

The meeting decided that an endowment fund would be set up in the name of the legendary actor to help needy teachers and students. Khalid Sultan Khawaja, a participant, announced a donation of Rs100,000 as seed money for the proposed Ziaul Qamar endowment fund.

Around 500 participants from different walks of life would be invited to an event to be held on Oct 7 to pay befitting tribute to Mr Qamar who had devoted his entire life to serve a public cause.

The meeting discussed various features of the proposed event, which will be attended by artists, teachers, students, family members and fans of the late actor. They would share their views on the academic, literary, cultural and social services of the multifaceted personality.

The meeting formed various committees to organise the said function in a befitting manner.

It was decided that the event would be held in two sessions -- the first one would cover academic services while the second would shed light on literary, cultural and social services rendered by the legendary teacher.

The meeting also decided to hold a photo exhibition to portray memorable shoots of Mr Qamar. Video clips of former students, old Edwardians and admirers from around the world, including the US, Canada, UK, and Europe, would be part of the event. The meeting decided that a Ziaul Qamar’s corner would be inaugurated at the Edwardes College, Peshawar Library as he was an avid reader.

“He had inspired many students to develop a taste for literary and cultural activities,” Prof Gulzar Jalal Yousafzai, a participant of the meeting, told this scribe. He said a 15-mitute documentary would also be screened regarding Ziaul Qamar’s acting career.

Prof Qamar died of multiple health complications on Aug 25.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2017