A Hasan Khiyal Mushaira was organized by the National Media Foundation (NMF) at V Trust, Gulshan-e-Iqbal. The event was notable for its traditional floor seating arrangement and significant participation of women. A large number of women attended the gathering in traditional attire, and a diverse display of poetic talent was witnessed.
Presided over by Professor Dr. Shadab Ahsani, the event had poetess Rehana Roohi and Persian school of thought poet Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed Malik Advocate as special guests. Poet Sohail Ahmed and literary editor of Rang-e-Adab Publications, Ali Shaer, were among the guests of honor. Uzma Ismail and Afsar Ali Afsar also participated as honorary guests.
The Mushaira, moderated by Maqbool Zaidi, commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by poet Aijaz Khan. NMF Chairman and senior journalist Muhammad Ali delivered the welcome address. Hamida Kashish, President of NMF Women’s Wing and the driving force behind this event, along with Uzma Kamal, welcomed the participants and also presented her poetry.
This was followed by a series of poets including Shahida Mahi, Umar Daraz Zaqmi, Hama Suriya, Shah Fahad, Rafiq Mughal, Arif Shaikh Arif, Salma Raza Salma, Ismail Azeem, Hama Uzma, Gul Afshan, Afroz Rizvi, Professor Safdar Ali Insha, and Shabbir Nazish. Maqbool Zaidi, Uzma Ismail, Afsar Ali Afsar, Shaer Ali Shaer, Rehana Roohi, and Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed Malik Advocate also graced the gathering with their verses.
The Mushaira concluded with a presidential address by Professor Dr. Shadab Ahsani and the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the participating poets by NMF, presented by Iftikhar Malik and Rehana Roohi.