ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), under the National Heritage and Culture Division, held a solemn ceremony titled “A Lifetime Tribute to Prof. Dr. Shaukat Mahmood (Late)” at the National Art Gallery, PNCA, Islamabad, to pay tribute to the life, work and legacy of one of Pakistan’s respected artists, teachers, researchers and mentors.
The gathering was attended by prominent artists, academicians, architects, researchers, students, family members and representatives of the cultural community, who came together to acknowledge Prof Dr Shaukat Mahmood’s lifelong services for the promotion of visual arts and art education in the country.
In her welcome remarks, Ms Mariam Ahmed, Director, Visual Arts Division, PNCA, described Prof Dr Shaukat Mahmood as an exceptional artist, teacher and mentor whose work had influenced generations of artists and enriched Pakistan’s artistic discourse. She welcomed the family of the late professor, including his daughter Ms Aamna Isani, and invited the audience to observe a minute’s silence and offer prayers for the departed soul.
The proceedings were moderated by Dr Mahmoona Khan, who spoke about Prof Dr Shaukat Mahmood’s deep impact on his students and colleagues. She said he remained a guiding force in their academic and professional lives and remembered him as a mentor whose wisdom, encouragement and support would continue to guide future generations.
Speaking on behalf of his students and colleagues, Dr Mahmoona Khan recalled him as a self-made, humble and compassionate person whose commitment to teaching continued for more than six decades, from 1964 to 2026. She highlighted his academic journey across institutions including the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, the University of Jeddah, the International Islamic University Malaysia, and the University College of Art and Design, University of the Punjab.
Dr Mahmoona Khan said the reference, though marked by sorrow, had been arranged not merely to mourn but to celebrate the inspiring life of a teacher who believed in optimism, generosity and the transformative role of education. She also thanked PNCA Director General Mr M. Ayoub Jamali, Ms Mariam Ahmed and the PNCA team for arranging the tribute promptly in response to a single request.
Ms Aamna Isani, daughter of Dr Shaukat Mahmood, travelled from Karachi to attend the ceremony. She expressed gratitude to PNCA and Dr Mahmoona Khan for organising the reference in memory of her father.
The tribute included reflections by several distinguished speakers, including Ar. Abdul Qayum, Dr Sumera Jawad, Dr Shaida Mansoor, Dr Naela Aamir, Dr Nadeem Alam, Zarar Babri, Attia Abrar and Dr Mahmoona Khan, who addressed the gathering in person.
Dr Rahat Naveed Masud, Dr Safia Raheem, Dr Nadra Shahbaz, Dr Anila Zulfiqar and Muhammad Javaid shared their tributes through recorded video messages. They recalled personal memories and recognised Prof Dr Shaukat Mahmood’s valuable role as an artist, educator, researcher and mentor. The speakers appreciated his dedication to art education, his generosity in guiding students and scholars, and his lasting influence on Pakistan’s visual arts community.
Participants noted that Prof Dr Shaukat Mahmood devoted his life to nurturing young talent, encouraging research and strengthening the visual arts landscape of Pakistan. They said his scholarship, artistic vision, humility and commitment to education had left a lasting impression on numerous artists, teachers and researchers in Pakistan and abroad.
The ceremony concluded with prayers for the departed soul and a collective reaffirmation of PNCA’s commitment to preserving and celebrating the lives and contributions of Pakistan’s eminent cultural figures. The participants expressed confidence that Prof Dr Shaukat Mahmood’s legacy would continue to inspire future generations of artists, educators and cultural practitioners, and that his lifelong commitment to art and learning would remain a guiding light in the years ahead.
