The Lahore Arts Council, Alhamra, continued its enduring tradition of nurturing poetry and literature by hosting a grand All Pakistan Mushaira, organised under the banner of the Old Ravian Association.
This year’s Mushaira was dedicated to the martyrs of Pakistan’s defense and held in cherished remembrance of Mumtaz Sheikh, reflecting both national pride and literary excellence.
The evening was presided over by the celebrated poet Iftikhar Arif, while Shehbaz Ahmed Sheikh, General Secretary of the Old Ravian Association, conducted the proceedings with remarkable grace. The Mushaira drew together a constellation of the nation’s most distinguished poets, whose verses wove together the themes of patriotism, unity and aesthetic brilliance.
Among the eminent voices that illuminated the gathering were Yasmeen Hameed, Zahid Fakhri, Abbas Tabish, Anjum Kaleem, Wajid Mir, Hammad Ghaznavi, Saleem Sagar, Salman Basit, Rakhshanda Naveed, Mahboob Zafar, Shaheen Abbas, Hammad Niazi, Khalid Nadeem Shani, Dr Sughra Sadaf, Umaira Mushtaq and Rawal Hussain. Their poetic recitations transformed the evening into a celebration of language, emotion and shared national spirit.
Speaking on the occasion, the poets emphasised that Mushairas are not merely literary events but vessels of collective memory, national identity and cultural endurance. The Lahore Arts Council, through its steadfast commitment to poetry, continues to be a guardian of Pakistan’s literary heritage and an incubator of creative thought. The Mushaira stood as a luminous reflection of Alhamra’s deep and historic connection with poetry. In this institution, art and literature unite to inspire love for the homeland, preserve cultural legacy and elevate the national consciousness.