Sepoy Maqbool Hussain, Aitzaz to be commemorated: Fayaz-ul-Hassan

Maqbool Hussain remained in captivity for almost 40 years but never renounced Pakistan

LAHORE (APP) – Provincial Information and Culture Minister Fayaz-ul-Hassan Chohan on Monday said the Punjab government will hold special ceremonies to commemorate the services of Sepoy Maqbool Hussain as a patriotic soldier and Aitzaz Hassan’s martyrdom in the war against terror.

Talking to media in Lahore on Monday, he said that the Punjab Arts Council would hold special ceremonies at all eight provincial headquarters on Thursday (September 6) to celebrate the patriotism of Sepoy Maqbool Hussain who bore with the persecution and brutalities of the Indian army as a prisoner of 1965 war.

He said that Maqbool Hussain remained in captivity for almost 40 years but never renounced Pakistan.

The minister said that he had asked Alhmara Arts Council Chairman Tauqeer Nasir to dramatise the patriotic act of Sepoy Maqbool Hussain while film-maker Syed Noor had been asked to make a biopic of the great soldier.

Hassan said that a tele-film on the life of Aitzaz Hassan, who sacrificed his life to save his school fellows from a suicide attack by the Taliban in Hangu district KPK, would be broadcast on the Pakistam Television (PTV).

“It is unfortunate that the Nawaz Sharif government disallowed the airing of the telefilm on Aitzaz Hassan as it carried evidence against the Taliban and Indian intelligence agency RAW to sabotage peace in Pakistan,” he disclosed.

Giving out the targets of his ministry, he said the PTI-led Punjab government would enforce the Right to Information Act in the province, adding the previous government of Shehbaz Sharif did not implement the act for being afraid of accountability by common man. He said the Shehbaz Sharif’s government was not honest in the enforcement of the law.

He said the PTI government would ensure accountability of all, adding that the historian, about this era, would write that a slap cost Rs 3.5 million punishment to the perpetrator under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government while the murderers of 14 people went scot-free during Nawaz Sharif regime.

The minister also announced to hold “Punjab Idol” at the Alhamra to promote cultural activities among youth, adding he would do his best to promote art and culture in the province.

The Information Minister Fayaz-ul-Hassan also resolved to work for the welfare of working journalists, adding the Punjab Ministry of Information would launch different programs for the capacity building of journalists.

DGPR Amjad Hussain Bhatti was also present during the interaction.