Lahore: Lahore’s literary landscape was graced with a unique and unforgettable event: Jashn-e-Nazir Qaiser, a national tribute honoring the remarkable Urdu poet, writer, and Pride of Performance recipient, Nazir Qaiser. This event, brought to life by the Nazir Qaiser Foundation in collaboration with Sam Ramnit’s SR Production, was a splendid celebration of poetry, literature, and cultural heritage, drawing in distinguished literary personalities from across the nation.

Held at the Park Heritage Hotel, the gathering was marked by an atmosphere of reverence and intellectual warmth. It was not merely a ceremonial tribute, but a meaningful reflection on a literary journey that has shaped generations of readers and writers. Speakers throughout the evening described Nazir Qaiser as a poet whose work bridges classical tradition with contemporary sensibility, giving voice to human emotions, love, peace, social awareness, and moral resilience.

The first session was presided over by renowned intellectual Dr. Najeeb Jamal, with Dr. Muhammad Kamran, Masood Ali Khan, Bilqis Riaz, Saeeda Deep, Professor Kausar Jamal Cheema, and Abdul Waheed Chughtai attending as special guests. A wide range of poets, scholars, and critics shared their reflections, calling Nazir Qaiser’s poetry the “heartbeat of the era” and praising its clarity of thought, depth of feeling, and enduring relevance.

The speakers included Shahzad Nayyar, Naveed Sadiq, Raza Rumi, Mansha Qazi, Asanath Kanwal, Mohammad Abbas Mirza, Asif Imran, Arshad Naeem Ali, Safia Kausar, Rukhshanda Naveed, Zubia Anwar, Dr. Fadizale Bano, Dr. Saima Kamran, Poonam Noorin, Aftab Javed, Saba Anil, Afshin and Anil Lawrence, Managing Director of SR Production, who described Nazir Qaiser as the beacon of light of the present era in whose light the paths of literature are illuminated.

A notable moment of the session was the unveiling of a specially commissioned portrait of Nazir Qaiser by acclaimed visual artist Haroon Al Rasheed, presented by Masood Ali Khan and Muhammad Zubair Sheikh. The portrait was received with warm appreciation and symbolized the lasting visual and intellectual imprint of the poet’s legacy.

In keeping with the spirit of continuity, certificates and cash prizes were awarded to three young writers who excelled in a literary competition. The awards were presented by Nazir Qaiser, Dr. Kausar Jamal Cheema, and Abida Qaiser, underscoring the poet’s lifelong commitment to nurturing new voices and strengthening the future of Urdu literature.

The second session was chaired by noted writer Dr. Amjad Tufail, with Shahzada Shabbir Ahmad Siddiqui | Lasani Sarkar, Ghulam Hussain Sajid, Baba Najmi, and Dr. Irfan-ul-Haq as special guests. Speakers highlighted Nazir Qaiser’s humanism, his belief in hope, and his ability to see beauty even in difficult times. Several participants observed that his poetry does not surrender to despair, but instead offers light, courage, and moral clarity.

Representatives of SR Production, including managing Director Anil Lawrence, and Saba Anil also paid tribute, acknowledging the honor of being associated with an event that celebrated not only a poet, but a living tradition of thought and expression. Nazir Qaiser, in his brief address, expressed gratitude to the organizers, speakers, and audience for their affection and respect.

Shahzada Shabbir Ahmed Siddiqui remarked that individuals like Nazir Qaiser are rare in our society and that there is a profound need for such personalities. He observed that to see the world as beautiful, one must translate Nazir Qaiser’s pure and sincere thoughts into words. Shahzada Shabbir Ahmed Siddiqui eloquently captured the sentiments of the gathering by noting that Nazir Qaiser perceives the entire universe—beginning with his own inner self—as beautiful. He described him as a lover of humanity, adding that while love is often said to be blind, Nazir Qaiser’s vision is exceptionally beautiful, enabling him to behold the world with admiration and grace.

Managed with grace and professionalism, the event reflected careful planning and aesthetic balance, with sessions moderated by Shahzad Nayyar, Safia Kausar and Saba Anil. Their efforts ensured that the proceedings flowed smoothly and retained the dignity befitting a tribute of this scale.

Jashn-e-Nazir Qaiser concluded as more than a tribute to an individual—it stood as a celebration of an era of Urdu literature, reaffirming the enduring relevance of words, thought, and cultural values represented by Nazir Qaiser. In celebrating Nazir Qaiser, the evening celebrated an entire era—one rooted in tradition, enriched by intellect, and sustained by the power of the written word.

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