The Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) has honored renowned Saraiki language poet Shakir Shujaabadi with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his services to Saraiki poetry.
The Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony was held at Ghotvi Hall IUB Abbasia Campus. Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chancellor, IUB Prof Dr Athar Mahboob said that it is a matter of honor for our university to have given the Lifetime Achievement Award to the great poet Saraiki Wasib.
He said that this region is rich in literature and culture. We want to not only preserve the literary heritage of this Wasib but also to make such poets known to the young generation. He said that very soon Islamia University will also award the honorary degree of PhD to Shakir Shujaabadi. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Department of Saraiki and the honorary degree of Ph.D.
Addressing the ceremony, Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Dr Ehtesham Anwar presented Lifetime Achievement Award to Shakir Shujaabadi and congratulated the Vice-Chancellor IUB and Department of Education. Dr Ehtesham Anwar said that Shakir Shujaabadi is a symbol of Saraiki Wasaib and the Saraiki language. His poetry is very popular in every special and general. He said that Shakir Shujaabadi’s poetry has a ray of hope and courage to move forward.
Dean Faculty of Arts and Languages and Chairman of the Saraiki Department Prof Dr Jawed Hassan Chandio said that Shakir Shujaabadi has become the voice of not only Saraiki Wasib but the oppressed people of this country for the past several decades. Shakir Shujaabadi saw very difficult conditions and traveled a long journey of physical illness but never lost courage and continued to encourage people to live. He said that it is an honor for us to give a Lifetime Achievement Award or PhD degree to Shakir Shuja Abadi. He said that the Saraiki department will continue to organize such beautiful meetings and initiatives with the poets and writers of this profession while maintaining its traditions.