LAHORE: (Wednesday, September 23, 2026): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali inaugurated a solo art exhibition of Ms. Rabia Shaukat (PhD Scholar CAD), showcasing the rich cultural heritage and traditional crafts of Southern Punjab at the College of Art & Design (CAD) here on Wednesday. On this occasion, Director Lahore Museum Taseer Ahmed, PU Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mehmood Saleem, Dean Faculty of Arts & Humanities Prof Dr Mehboob Hussain, Principal CAD Prof Dr Samina Nasim, faculty members and a large number of students were present. The exhibition presents a diverse collection of artworks inspired by the traditional crafts, cultural practices, indigenous aesthetics, and artistic traditions of Southern Punjab. Through contemporary artistic expression, the exhibition highlights the region’s distinctive visual heritage while drawing attention to the importance of preserving and promoting its traditional crafts. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali appreciated the student’s efforts to document and reinterpret the cultural heritage of Southern Punjab through art. He said that the artwork demonstrates how handicrafts can be commercialized to improve the standard of living of the people of Southern Punjab. He further said that exhibitions organized to promote traditional handicrafts help boost the morale and confidence of artists. He emphasized the role of universities, particularly art and design institutions, in providing platforms for artists and researchers to explore Pakistan’s diverse cultural traditions and present them to wider audiences. He highlighted the importance of connecting craft with indigenous Traditional Arts, saying that such exhibitions provide students, artists, researchers, and the public with opportunities to engage with Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.