The struggle of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Liaquat Ali Khan and other historical figures are involved in bringing Pakistan into existence after the ALLAH PAK.There, the role of Pakistan forces and our heroes was very prominent in giving Pakistan a prominent place in the world.Whose practical struggle construction and development of Pakistan.Our heroes are our most valuable asset.Whose services are impossible to forget, because their names have become immortal in history.But it is a pity that there are many of our heroes who have been awarded national honors in recognition of their services after their departure, which amounts to total injustice.
A prominent name in the promotion of culture and art of Pakistan is the founder of Rawalpindi Arts Council Ms. Naheed Manzoor.She is a clear and transparent person with a soft heart. Where the artist community is connected to each other as a family with its culture and traditions, There, Naheed Manzoor holds the status of an elder sister, a teacher for the artists of the twin cities. Which has become a school in terms of its services and experiences.Naheed Manzoor dedicated his entire life to the service of art and artists. It would not be wrong if I say that Naheed Manzoor is a woman of great qualities. If Naheed is not given this status even after his lifelong association and struggle with the institution, it will be a great loss to her.Which is not acceptable for any artist.
When the arts councils across the country including Rawalpindi were closed down during the regime of former President General (retd) Zia-ul-Haq, on the ground that dancing was taking place there, So Naheed Manzoor was furious at the loss of rights to her artists. She was dedicated to the fact that the Arts Council of any city reflects the culture and traditions of its country and province.Where the young generation is not only exposed to their culture, Rather, they are taught ethics. Therefore, the impression that the Arts Council is only a venue for dancing and singing is completely wrong. Disapproving of the government’s wrong decision, she took a bold decision and stood up for the rights of artists community. Naheed Manzoor called for a strike and along with artists staged a sit-in at GPO Chowk Saddar Rawalpindi.As a result, the government bowed down to Naheed Manzoor and retracted his decision.Thus, Naheed Manzoor became victorious in her ideological struggle.Through the efforts of Naheed Manzoor, land was allocated for Rawalpindi Arts Council on Shamsabad Double Road. After which Ms. Naheed Manzoor founded the Rawalpindi Arts Council by taking funds from the Punjab government.
Besides being the resident director of Rawalpindi Arts Council, Naheed Manzoor is a multi-talented artist. She is an excellent dramatist and director, whose many plays have become popular. The establishment of Rawalpindi Arts Council has sent a wave of joy among the artists of the twin cities, who got an official and respectable platform to show their essence. The artists raised their hands and prayed for Naheed Manzoor. Even today, if any artist of Rawalpindi Islamabad faces any problem, they prefer to going to Rawalpindi Arts Council. Despite her illness, Naheed Manzoor will stand by her artists in every difficult time.Numerous artists started their artistic careers from Rawalpindi Arts Council, who became successful and went on to emerge as bright stars, one of them being the famous singer Ibrar Ul HaQ, who also started his career to Rawalpindi Arts council,who is very popular among the people today.
I feel it necessary to draw the attention of my readers to this important issue that it is good that we recognize the services of our legends in their own lifetime, because it is grossly unfair to them to honor their families after they are gone. It is equivalent to, the services of our heroes should be appreciated in their life, so that they can get the reward of their life-long hard work and struggle, which is no less than oxygen for them. It is very sad to say that Naheed Manzoor, the founder of Rawalpindi Arts Council, the best writer and a teacher among artists, has been completely neglected by the government, whose artistic services are obvious to all. I appeal to the government to recognize Naheed Manzoor’s valuable services in her life and award her with the Presidential Award.