Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Wednesday said the historic city of Lahore is the cultural capital of South Asia due to its rich culture, art and traditions.

Addressing the unveiling ceremony of the plaque of “Lahore – Pakistan’s First City of Literature” at Alhamra, she said, however, there is a need to globally project this treasure-trove of gardens, historical sites and literary centres to boost tourism.

Director/Representative of UNESCO in Pakistan Ms Patricia McPhillips, Commissioner Lahore Zulfiqar Ghuman and a host of literacy figures were also present.

Addressing the occasion, Dr Firdous said the declaration of Lahore as a ‘City of Literature’ by UNESCO is a delightful step as Lahore has the honour of being the first city of literature in Pakistan.

Lahore’s literary festivals, mushairas and countless literary events are acknowledged internationally as UNESCO has declared Lahore a ‘City of Literature’. Now, the poets, writers and eminent personalities should play their role to maintain this honour, she said.

The Special Assistant said the government is going to reshape historic ‘Urdu Bazaar’ to make it attractive for book-lovers. Likewise, the historic ‘Hazuri Bagh’ was being restored as a public and literary site, she added.

Various historical manuscripts will also be translated into major languages of the world, she said.

The SACM said eminent personalities that remained associated with Lahore have earned a niche in the world.

Dr Firdous said Alhamra Arts Council, PUCAR and other institutions are playing their role in showcasing the rich culture of Lahore, adding that international film and music festivals will also be held to introduce Pakistan’s cultural activities globally. Meanwhile, ‘International Iqbal Conference’ and other literary events will also be arranged in Lahore in the days to come, she added.

Later, talking to the media in an event organised by the Liberty Market Traders Association, the Special Assistant said the PTI has been given the mandate to fix the irregularities and embezzlements of the former rulers, adding that Imran Khan is busy doing surgery of this rotten system and surgery is a painful process.  

Dr Firdous said the PM is waging jihad against corruption in the Senate election and it will soon be clear to the people who are in favour of ‘show of hand’ and who are in favour of ‘corruption’.

The corrupt gang of the opposition wants to hold the institutions’ hostage, she said. She said Daud Sulemani, a PTI MPA from DG Khan, will soon pledge allegiance to the Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.  

The SACM said the land mafia against whom Imran Khan has waged a war also held the businessmen of Punjab hostage but now the traders have expressed full confidence in the business-friendly policy of the Prime Minister. She said the business community has lauded the efforts of the Chief Minister for amending the tax laws to facilitate businesses.