Page 12 - In The Loop (15 Aug - 30 Nov, 2018)

Faisalabad Literary Festival 2018

The 5th Faisalabad Literary Festival (FLF) was held at the An exclusive session, ‘In memory of Madiha Gauhar’ was inside the loop
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium, Faisalabad Arts Council also hosted this year to honor the outstanding
on 23 & 24 Nov., 2018. People from different walks of life contributions of this prolific theatre and human rights
thronged the venue as prominent writers, intellectuals, activist, for revival of socially relevant theatre in Pakistan
professionals, poets, singers and actors presented at the and projection of the oppressed segments through her
event. Legends such as Justice (Retd.) Nasira Javid Iqbal, inspiring productions. After this intriguing segment, Haris
Anwar Maqsood, Asghar Nadeem, Ghazi Salahuddin, Khalique and Mina Malik talked about new horizons of Recognition Gathering at ILNA
Nayyar Ali Dada, Kishwar Naheed, Najeeb Jamal, Arshad English fiction in Pakistan. Actor and artist Jamal Shah
Mehmood, Asif Raza Mir, Jamal Shah, Yasmeen Tahir, along with Uxi Mufti, Harris Khalique and Arifa Syeda The Interloop North America (ILNA) team gathered in
Naeem Tahir, Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi, Harris Khaliq, Arifa shared their views regarding ‘Tareekh Aur Virsay sey October 2018 at its office in Winston Salem, NC to honor
Syeda, Uxi Mufti, Arif Nizami and famed puppet characters’ Mehroomi - Tehzeeb Ki Ghumshudgi’. Famous folk singer, one of the founders and former CEO of Interloop, Musadaq
creator; Farooq Qaisar graced the event. Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi engaged the audience by Zulqarnain on his retirement and transition into the role of
Chairman, Interloop Limited. Faryal Sadiq; Executive
Director People & Organization Development, David Sack;
the first President of ILNA and Ron Gburek; former
manager of Interloop and currently Board Member of ILNA,
were also present.

‘Musadaq is one of the most respected leaders and friends
I have known in my entire career,’ said Ron to the group.
‘Many leaders talk about how people are important,
Musadaq exemplifies it in his interest and support for the
entire team, not just the leadership.’ David recalled his Shelley, Musadaq, David, Faryal & Ron before cutting the celebratory cake
experiences of the early days, working side by side with the
Chairman and meeting the customers, and noted,
Musadaq Zulqarnain, Chairman Interloop talking about the importance Noor Ul Hassan, Shahid Nadeem, Savera Nadeem & Nirvaan Nadeem ‘Musadaq is the real thing.’
of providing better oppurtunities to the youth talking about the writings of the human rights activist; Madiha Gauhar
Shelley Rider, President ILNA shared her thoughts saying,
Deputy Commissioner Faisalabad, Sardar Saifullah Dogar ‘Interloop’s mission, vision & values are a direct reflection of
inaugurated the two-day festival. The opening session was its leadership, especially the two men at the top, you
presided over by Asghar Nadeem Syed while other literary Musadaq and our new CEO, Navid. We are lucky to be part
figures addressed the audience. Welcoming the guests, of a company that does the right thing, even in challenging
Sardar Saifullah said that intellectuals were precious asset times and walks the talk of its I-CARE values. Thank you for
of the society who guided people and promoted positive investing in us and believing in us that we could build a new
thinking through their poetry and writings. and different business for Interloop. Thank you for showing
us that success and humility are not mutually exclusive,
Guest speakers at the first session ‘Khawab daikhnay wala that business can have a heart, and that smart,
muaashra’ were Ghazi Salahuddin, Dr. Sheeba Alam, Dr. hardworking people who come together with passion and a
Nasira Javed Iqbal and Asghar Nadeem Syed. Dr. Nasira plan, can overcome the most daunting of obstacles.”
said that our people were capable enough to accomplish
their dreams with their patience & strive. Ghazi Salah-u-din The ILNA team presented a unique handmade wooden box
shared that a big city couldn’t survive if people of that to the Chairman, filled with team’s handwritten notes of
society were not benefitting from their public libraries to gratitude for his contributions and leadership over the
find out ways how to fulfill their dreams. All speakers Uncle Sargam famed puppet character entertaining the audience years. The team also presented him the book “Epic Drives
shared their views in this regard. of the World”, which showcases 50 of the greatest road
sharing the challenges he faced while pursuing singing. Musadaq Zulqarnain reading sweet memories shared in the gift box by trips on Earth. The celebration concluded on enjoying a
Session ‘Visionary Talks’ with Musadaq Zulqarnain and ILNA team members delicious cake, ice cream and a song.
Shiekh Shahzad was very informative and enlightening. In The festival was a progressive step towards sharing of
one of his comments, Musadaq said, “We should always knowledge & experience regarding literature, fine and
work towards a bigger purpose.” He also mentioned, “It performing arts and provided intellectual recreation to
would be a great achievement if we provided positive and literature lovers.
better opportunities to the younger generation.”

Chairman with Interloop North America Team
Audience enjoying the opening session of Dr. Nasira Javed & Ghazi Salah-u-Din

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