Latest news with #PrideofPerformance
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Hameed-ul-Haq asks PTF to hunt fresh talent
The celebrated former Davis Cupper and national champion, Hameed-ul-Haq, who is also a President's Pride of Performance winner is being pressurized, according to him, for exposing the shortcomings of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) in healthy spirit of effecting the desired improvements. Sometime back, the tennis champion had pointed out the flawed planning and management along with few irregularities in the conduct of sports affairs purely in the national interest. But instead of taking corrective measures, the PTF started issuing explanations and show-cause notices to muzzle his voice. In a letter to Hameed-ul-Haq, the PTF has expressed its reservations on the champion's criticism of the tennis body, and blamed him for furthering personal interests through the media. The PTF also blamed that the champion is violating the code of conduct and constitution of the sports body. The PTF said that it has always invited him (Hameed) for inputs and suggestions, and his diatribe is, thus, unwarranted. Hameed-ul-Haq, however, in a rejoinder while refuting the allegations termed them as unfounded and with mala fide intent. He said that the PTF is making no serious effort towards new talent development, and the national representation is now being sustained by aging players. "The decline is visible across all categories of men's, women's and junior teams that have delivered poor performance in recent years", he reminded the PTF. The Davis cup player from 1984-1997, and winner of Presidential Award of Pride of Performance in 1999, called for transparency and democratic values within the tennis institution. Hameed offered an olive branch to the PTF by seeking its cooperation in addressing the problems of tennis, in order to revive the glory of the sport once again in Pakistan.
India Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Story behind Pakistan's national flag: Design, designer, and symbolism
On August 11, 1947, just three days before Pakistan's independence, the Constituent Assembly formally adopted the flag that would define a new nation. Syed Amir-uddin Kedwaii, a lawyer, activist and Muslim League member, is generally credited with the design. Master Afzal Hussain, a humble Delhi tailor, brought it to life with thread and green and white emblem was a tribute to the Muslim majority, a pledge to safeguard minorities, and a symbol that would stand for the flag's journey began long before independence. By the late 1930s, the Muslim League had embraced a simpler banner: deep green, a central crescent, and a star -- a rallying standard for 'Muslim India'. It was this emblem that Kedwaii would refine into the national DESIGNER 'S TOUCHAmir-uddin Kedwaii's change was bold in its simplicity. To the Muslim League's green, he added a vertical white stripe -- a signal that minorities would stand alongside the Muslim majority in the new Pakistan. The crescent was to represent progress; the star, the light of wasn't the work of an artist in a grand studio but of a man sketching for a cause, knowing that symbols could speak as powerfully as SYMBOLISM INTO FABRICDesigning was one thing; making the first flag was after the Assembly's approval, Delhi tailor Master Afzal Hussain stitched some of the first Pakistan flags reportedly in Karachi in August 1947. He had earlier made Muslim League flags in Delhi before Hussain, later known as Baba-e-Parcham (Father of the Flag), would pass away in obscurity. Recognition came late in the form of a Pride of Performance award by President Zia-ul-Haq, but the fabric of his work had already been immortalised. (Photo: AFP) NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISEIn the final days before independence, there were suggestions -- reportedly even from Lord Mountbatten -- to add the Union Jack to the canton, as had been done in other new dominions. But Jinnah refused outright. This flag would carry no trace of colonial rule; its symbols would belong wholly to August 11, Liaquat Ali Khan, after the Assembly's adoption of the flag, promised it would protect the freedom and equality of all citizens, regardless of faith -- a vow stitched as firmly as its FIRST FLIGHT ABROADOnly days after independence, the Pakistani flag's first journey overseas took it far from Karachi's celebrations to Moisson, France, for the 6th World Scout Jamboree (August 9-17, 1947).advertisementThere, young Muslim scouts knew the design from newspapers -- green field, white stripe, crescent, star -- but no actual flag existed on site. Then came an act of unity that became a legend.A Hindu scout from Shimla, Madan Mohan, offered his green turban as fabric for the flag's field. A Pakistani Muslim scout from Multan, Abbas Ali Gardezi, offered his white shirt for the stripe. Two French Girl Guides worked through the night, hand-stitching the scraps into a the morning of August 15, as war-weary Europe watched new nations rise, Dan Mal Mathur -- an Indian scout leader -- hoisted that makeshift Pakistani flag alongside India's tricolour. With no Pakistani anthem ready, the scouts sang 'Jana Gana Mana' and 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha' was a moment that defied political borders, stitched from shared humanity. Today, the Parcham-e-Sitara-o-Hilal carries in its folds a history of ideals defended, friendships forged, and promises made.- EndsMust Watch
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ustad Bashir dead at 80
Renowned tabla maestro Ustad Bashir Khan passed away on Thursday after a short battle with illness at age 80, sources close to the musician's family have revealed. As a towering figure from the Punjab Gharana, Ustad Bashir, who accrued a Pride of Performance award for his contribution to music, left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Pakistan as both a soloist, as well as an percussionist in others musicians' performances. Throughout an illustrious career that also involved having served as part of the teaching faculty at the music department for the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), Ustad Bashir's classical legacy includes performances alongside national treasures Noor Jahan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Abida Parveen. Sharif Awan, classical music producer and Director of Tehzeeb Foundation of Pakistan, spoke to The Express Tribune about the gaping hole that Ustad Bashir's passing has left on music in Pakistan. "This is very painful news," began Awan, who was also a personal friend of the late musician's for the past 35 years. "Bashir Khan Sahab was one of the world's most stylish tabla maestros and he was highly respected for his accompaniment aesthetics. Whether it was in India or Pakistan, whoever he worked with, people would cherish his style." As a mark of how the respect that the tabla maestro garnered during his lifetime, Awan noted that revered Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar and classical vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty would personally cite Ustad Bashir's example as a cornerstone of Pakistani talent. However, despite his wealth of skill on the tabla and influence in the musical community in the region, Ustad Bashir remained a humble figure throughout his career. "He was a very good man, very modest," said Awan in fond remembrance. "You would never hear his name in any controversy. He would keep to himself and he was loved for his artistry."
