LAHORE: (Tuesday, December 25, 2012): Punjab University on Tuesday celebrated Quaid Day with historical zeal and fervor and all the departments organized seminars, quiz competitions, debates etc to pay glowing tribute to the Father of the Nation. The Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) organized a seminar which was addressed by Syed Nusratullah Shah, translator of Quaid-e-Azam Papers. Dr. Zakria Zakar, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Samar Fatima, Chairperson Department of Gender Studies, Dr. Riffat Munawar, Associate Professor at ISCS and a large number of students were present on the occasion. The speakers highlighted various aspects of Quaid’s personality and message to the nation. Mr. Nusratullah Shah said that Quaid was a man of bravery, strength and honesty. He stated that Quaid-e-Azam believed that no nation could progress without education. He said further that Quaid was an upholder of equality between man and woman and he envisioned Pakistan where there would be full and equal participation of woman. Dr. Zakria said that we need to go beyond rituals and start thinking and work actively to transform the vision of Quaid-e-Azam into reality. He also stressed on the collective discourse to figure out problems and seek solutions for them. Dr. Samar Fatima said that Quaid-e-Azam never believed in caste and creed and was a strong and visionary leader having immense hopes from youth. She said that he also believed on the talent and intellect of young generation. Students from Department of Sociology and Gender Studies presented speeches to recall the characteristics of his personality and concreteness of his messages. A student sang a beautiful national song and event was closed with the screening of movie “Jinnah”. Pakistan Study Centre (PSC) organized a seminar, presentation competition and pictorial presentation on Quaid-e-Azam’s life history and a birthday cake cutting ceremony on the occasion. PSC Chairperson Dr. Massarrat Abid in her keynote address highlighted the Muslim struggle for Pakistan and Quaid-e-Azam’s role. She focused on the theme that it was due to the leadership qualities of Jinnah and his grand strategy that Pakistan’s demand became a reality. She said that the idea of Pakistan was a struggle of life and death for him and for which he fought to the end and achieved his cherished goal. She said that under his able leadership, Muslim League was transformed into a formidable political organization. She also highlighted students’ role in Pakistan movement. She said that Quaid-e-Azam considered them the vanguard of Pakistan movement. In a symposium organized by Punjab University College of Art and Design, Principal Prof Dr Rahat Naveed Masud and Dr Anis Siddiqui paid tribute to the efforts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Department of Applied Psychology and Centre for Clinical Psychology organized an event in which students presented poems, speeches and documentaries on the life history and impeccable leadership of Quaid-e-Azam while relating it to the present day Pakistan. A quiz program was also conducted on Mr Jinnah’s life. Director Centre for Clinical Psychology Prof Dr Rukhsana Kausar highlighted the need to follow the footsteps of Quaid-e-Azam and reinstate his mission and vision for the progress of Pakistan. In the end, prizes were distributed among the winners of the quiz and participants of the program by the director. Punjab University Main Library displayed banners bearing statements of Father of the Nation at various places of the university. A ceremony was also organized at PU Main Library which was presided over by Chief Librarian Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif and a large number of students and staffers were present to remember the meritorious services of Quaid-e-Azam. Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics also organized an event to admire the great devotion and hard work of Quaid-e-Azam for creation of Pakistan.

A documentary on Quaid-e-Azam prepared by the students was screened along with a national song sung by Rida Rashid of MS 1st semester. Speeches were made by various students regarding the life and message of the Quaid and the current scenario of Pakistan. A medley of national songs praising the Quaid was also presented by a group of students. A few students had written poems on Quaid and the country which they sang. Students of different semesters designed display boards highlighting the life, message and various aspects of the personality of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Institute of Chemical Engineering & Technology also organized a program in which ICET Director Prof. Dr. Aamir Ijaz delivered his keynote address. Advisor Students Affairs Prof. Dr. Rafiq Ahmad was also present in the program. Documentaries, quiz competition and award distribution ceremony were also held. Punjab University Hailey College of Commerce also organized a ceremony in which acting principal Syed Muhammad Naeem, faculty members, staff and a large number of students participated. The college organized debate competition on the personality of Quaid-e-Azam.