BAHAWALPUR: The second edition of the annual literary and cultural festival started at the Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) on Friday.

The inaugural session was presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Athar Mahboob and it had renowned actors Tauqeer Nasir and Azra Aftab and Urdu scholar Dr Arfa Sayeda Zahra.

In his welcome address, the VC said the university had become a hub of literary and scholarly activities as it was hosting national seminars, conferences, webinars and workshops on a daily basis, inviting eminent scholars from other countries of the world. He said the IUB had made a remarkable progress in the last three years and during the period the number of departments increased to 132 and the number of students went up to 60,000.

Mr Mahboob added that the university had become an attraction for the students from other provinces besides those from the South Punjab.

Tauqeer Nasir said he was impressed by the educational development at the IUB and added that the university was taking leaps in the field of education, which was pleasant for him to see.

Azra Aftab urged the youth to use their energies in positive activities for their own success as well as the success of the country. She said that the first priority of the youth should be seeking information and knowledge.

On the first day, the students who had secured positions in the international competition of Naat were awarded shields. Folk singers performed on the occasion. Famous Seraiki host Arif Malghani and singer Rahat Multanikar had a special talk.

The launching ceremony of eight books by various authors was also a part of the literary festival.

WHEAT SMUGGLING: The food department officials of Ahmedpur East with the assistance of law-enforcing agencies impounded two trailers allegedly involved in smuggling of wheat.

According to police sources, a trailer driven by Nasir Ijaz had 1,460 wheat bags while another driven by Tanveer Ahmed had 1,360 bags of wheat.

They were on their way to Islamabad.

When the trucks were checked, it was revealed they were moving wheat without valid permits. The food officials handed the drivers to the City Ahmedpur East police and registered a case against them. Both impounded trailers were parked on the premises of the government warehouses.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2022