Education
Sports
KPK
Islamia College Peshawar Marks Independence Day with Patriotic Ceremony
PESHAWAR: Islamia College Peshawar observed Pakistan’s 80th Independence Day with a ceremony at the historic Roos-Keppel Hall, attended by a large number of students, faculty members, officers, staff and alumni.
The ceremony began with the hoisting of the national flag, followed by the national anthem and the Islamia College anthem. Students presented national songs and other performances, adding to the patriotic atmosphere.
Former Inspector General of Police Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Muhammad Saeed Khan, who was the chief guest, highlighted the sacrifices of the founders of Pakistan and stressed the responsibility of the younger generation in safeguarding the country’s future.
Former Vice Chancellor of Islamia College Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Naushad Khan, also addressed the gathering and spoke about Pakistan’s independence, national development and the role of educational institutions in producing responsible citizens.
Welcoming the participants, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ahmad-ur-Rahman Saljoqi highlighted the significance of Independence Day and the historic contribution of Islamia College Peshawar to the Pakistan Movement. He stressed the importance of education, character, discipline and national responsibility in realizing the vision of the country’s founders.
A question-and-answer session was also held, while students of Islamia Collegiate School and the William team presented patriotic songs. President Senior Alumni Association Muhammad Zaman Muhammadzai distributed cash prizes among participating students in recognition of their performances.
The ceremony was attended by the Registrar, administrative officers, chairpersons, faculty members, staff and representatives of alumni associations. Prof. Dr. Abaseen Yousafzai conducted the proceedings, while Dr. Younas Khan served as the focal person for the programme.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment to freedom, unity, education, discipline and national progress.
National
Arshad Hussain to Receive Pride of Performance Award 2026 for 35 Years of Service to Art and Culture
Amjad Hadi Yousafzai
PESHAWAR : Veteran artist, writer and filmmaker Arshad Hussain has been selected by the Government of Pakistan for the Pride of Performance Award 2026 in recognition of more than 35 years of dedicated contribution to art, culture and creative expression. The prestigious recognition marks a major milestone in Hussain’s long artistic career, which has covered theatre, television, film, literature and cultural development. Over the decades, he has worked in various capacities including acting, writing, screenwriting, creative direction and cultural initiatives, with his work consistently focusing on storytelling, cultural identity, social awareness and the role of art in public life. For Hussain, the honour represents not only recognition of his professional achievements but also a renewed responsibility to serve the cultural community. “After thirty-five years, this honour feels less like a destination and more like a responsibility,” he said. Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Hussain said, “I receive the Pride of Performance 2026 with gratitude, humility and a renewed sense of responsibility. I am deeply grateful to the Government of Pakistan for recognising my journey in Art & Culture. My work has never been only about performance. I have always believed that art can preserve memory, open conversations, connect people and give a voice to stories that deserve to be heard. This recognition carries my name, but the journey behind it has been shaped by countless people, audiences, collaborators and institutions. I carry their trust with me. For me, this is not the closing of a chapter. It is an invitation to create with greater purpose, to support emerging artists, to protect our cultural memory and to carry Pakistan’s stories forward with dignity.” Hussain began his professional artistic journey with Pakistan Television Peshawar Centre, which became an important platform in his early career. His work later expanded across several creative disciplines and cultural spaces, establishing him as a multifaceted contributor to Pakistan’s artistic landscape. His selection for the Pride of Performance comes after more than three decades of sustained engagement with the arts and reflects a career dedicated to creativity, cultural expression and public storytelling. The recognition is also significant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where artists and cultural practitioners have played a vital role in preserving and promoting the region’s rich cultural heritage. Hussain said the honour would strengthen his resolve to support emerging artists and contribute further to the preservation of Pakistan’s cultural memory. “The award carries my name. Its pride belongs to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said. For Arshad Hussain, the Pride of Performance 2026 is not an ending but a new beginning, carrying a renewed commitment to art, culture, emerging talent and the stories of Pakistan.
