KARACHI: Journalists Friends of Ahmed Shah honored Lifetime Membership of Karachi Press Club to President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah (Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Sitara-e-Imtiaz).

During the event, Muhammad Ahmed Shah was presented with a lifetime membership of Karachi Press Club in recognition of his exceptional contributions for Arts and Culture.

The event saw a large number of participants from the journalist community, members of the Arts Council's governing body, and various social and cultural personalities.

Among the distinguished attendees were renowned President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah, actor and broadcaster Munawar Saeed, President Press Club Saeed Sarbazi, Secretary Press Club Shoaib Ahmed, senior journalists Mazhar Abbas, A.H. Khanzada, Ahmed Malik, Maqsood Yousufi, Imtiaz Khan Faran, Muhammad Farooq, Javed Saba, Hamid Rehman, Tahir Hassan, KUJ Secretary Dastoor Liaquat Kashmiri, Peerzada Salman, Rafat Saeed, Fazli Jameeli, Jameel Ahmed, Tausif Ahmad Khan and Saeed Jan Baloch.

President Karachi Press Club, Saeed Sarbazi, emphasized that this program was not just for the Press Club, but for all friends of Ahmed Shah. He commended Ahmed Shah for encouraging people by name, supporting those who deserved it, and promoting arts, culture, and music for the greater good of society.

Sarbazi expressed that due to the efforts of Ahmed Shah and the Arts Council, Pakistan's soft image was being projected worldwide. Secretary of Karachi Press Club Shoaib Ahmed noted that it was a proud moment for the Press Club to grant Ahmed Shah a lifetime membership, a reflection of his significant role in promoting the arts and culture, particularly during times when the city's identity was under threat.

He stated that Ahmed Shah had introduced Pakistan to the world, and the Press Club fully supported him. Senior photojournalist Muhammad Farooq shared a personal anecdote of his first meeting with Ahmed Shah 30 years ago, reflecting on how Ahmed Shah had inspired him with his vision of hope and progress for the city, even in difficult times.

Farooq praised Ahmed Shah for his efforts to promote youth and uniting people from diverse languages and religions under the Urdu Conference.

Journalist Mazhar Abbas highlighted that Ahmed Shah's greatest success was his continuous victories despite difficult circumstances.

He spoke of how Ahmed Shah and his team had been transforming people's mindset and reshaping the city, building institutions that were crucial for both the press and cultural ministry.

Tahir Hassan also expressed admiration for how Ahmed Shah had saved and improved the Karachi Press Club building, stating that Ahmed Shah's active contributions were invaluable.

Prominent journalist Peerzada Salman recited a few verses in honor of Ahmed Shah, while Imtiaz Khan Faran emphasized that true friendship like Ahmed Shah's was rare, highlighting his efforts in supporting everyone around him. He prayed that the garden Ahmed Shah had nurtured would always remain protected.

Fazli Jamili remarked that although Ahmed Shah had been a life member for years, it was only now that the formal recognition of his lifetime membership was being announced, underscoring Ahmed Shah's significant contributions to the Press Club and media community.

Senior journalist Jameel Ahmed praised Ahmed Shah's perseverance and dedication, crediting him for the ongoing success of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi. He added that Ahmed Shah's work was visible to all, and they proudly supported him.

Ahmed Malik also mentioned the importance of the Urdu language as a symbol of identity in the subcontinent and recognized Ahmed Shah for promoting it through the Urdu Conference, making it accessible to the world. He said that the two institutions-Karachi Press Club and Arts Council-stood as pillars of peace, literature, and culture in Pakistan.

Maqsood Yousufi shared his long-standing support for Ahmed Shah, recalling their journey since the early days when the Arts Council lacked a roof, and reaffirmed that they continued to stand by him.

Dr. Tausif Ahmed Khan concluded by praising Ahmed Shah as an active leader and a role model for the youth, always accessible and engaged with everyone. President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, thanked the Karachi Press Club for the recognition and shared a personal story about his journey to gaining this honor, highlighting his years of service and commitment to his work.

He fondly remembered the time when he sat with major political figures like Benazir Bhutto at the Press Club and how those moments shaped his growth.

In closing, Ahmed Shah expressed his gratitude for the lifetime membership and reiterated his commitment to continue serving the city and its people.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 20 2024

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