LAHORE: (Tuesday, March 05, 2013): 2-day International Punjab Conference being organized by Punjab University’s Department of Punjab began here on Tuesday at Sherani Hall of Old Campus.

PU VC Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran presided over the inaugural session while Justice (r) Syed Afzal Haider, Abdul Rashid Bhatti, Fakhar Zaman, DG PILAC Malik Muhammad Ashraf Awan, renowned artist and journalist Sohail Ahmed and Mudassar Iqbal Butt, Chairman Punjabi Department Prof Dr Ismatullah Zahid, Dr Naheed Shahid, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Addressing the conference, Dr Kamran said that around 750 verses of Holy Quran, which is 1/8th of the Holy Book, stressed to focus on resolving mysteries of the universe. He congratulated Punjabi Department administration for organizing Punjabi Conference at international level.

Justice (r) Syed Afzal Haider demanded of the Punjab Assembly to pass resolution for speaking Punjabi language in the assembly. Fakhar Zaman said that renowned books should be translated into Punjabi language for its promotion and new words must be added to the language.

DG PILAC Malik Ashraf Awan, Sohail Ahmed and Muddassar Iqbal Butt also stressed the need for promotion of Punjabi language and highlighted its importance. Dr Nabeela Rehman and Canada’s Sardar J Taigh Singh read research papers on the occasion.