LAHORE: The district administration and the Lahore Art Council on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding here at Alhamra, The Mall, to hold a slew of programmes.

The MoU was signed by Lahore Arts Council Executive Director Ajaz Ahmad Minhas and Commissioner retired Capt Muhammad Usman.

Speaking on the occasion, LAC Board of Governors Chairman Moneeza Hashmi said Lahore was declared the City of Literature by Unesco in 2019, but no gatherings, literary functions or programmes could be held due to the pall of Covid pandemic.

She said: `Now the situation has improved owing to vaccination and adherence to Covid SOPs, we shallhold literary functions, online programmes and webinars and invite international and national personalities to events.

She said there would be book launches as well. `Lahore is the city of many renowned poets, singers, intellectuals, writers who would be introduced through various programmes to the young generation.

Unesco Honorary Chair Dr Arfa Syeda said Lahore had always been the seat of learning and literature.

Literature and literary activities are part and parcel of Lahore.

`Lahorites have literature in their blood and they give utmost respect to liter ary souls.

She, however, underlined the need for taking care of verses being posted on social media and wrongly attributed to great poets.

Commissioner retired Captain Muhammad Usman said: `WhenLahore was declared the City of Literature and the government formed a steering committee to look after literary activities and hold functions, it had not been notified. It has been notified now and we have signed MoUs with 23 universities and now with Alhamra. We shall hold Iqbal Conference at GCU in November and an international literary summit along with other activities in near future`.

Actor, producer and comedian Adeel Hashmi on this occasion recited the poetry of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. His wonderful way of reciting poetry earned him a thunderous round of applause.

At the end, Nazir Ahmed Music Society students from GCU sang a few ghazals which included Guloon Mein Rung Bharay by Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Sau Baar Chaman Mekka by Sufi Tabbassum.