Shaista Nuzhat

Dr. Shaista Nuzhat (Punjabi: شائستہ نُزہت (Shahmukhi)) (born 1963) is a Punjabi linguistic and cultural expert, and the Director of the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (PILAC).

Early career

Nuzhat was born in Gujranwala, Pakistan. She gained a Ph.D in Philosophy from the University of the Punjab, Lahore. She is a poet in Punjabi and Urdu, a columnist, and a writer. She started her career as a lecturer in philosophy and later as a journalist. She has worked as a sub-editor in various national daily newspapers. She holds the portfolio of Federal Deputy Secretary (Information and Broadcasting) for the Government of Pakistan.

PILAC

Nuzhat has worked to promote Punjabi language, literature, art and culture. As a result of her efforts, the Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a bill for the establishment of an institution named the Punjab Institute of Language, Art & Culture, which started functioning in 2005 in a rented building at Shadman Colony, Lahore, as part of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Youth Affairs, with Nuzhat as the founding Director. The Institute brought together Punjabi writers, poets, and journalists in the Punjabi Complex, at 01-Qaddafi Stadium, Ferozpur Road, Lahore, with the support of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the Ex. Chief Minister, Punjab. PILAC has been functioning from this complex since 2007, after an inauguration by Elahi. Nuzhat also started Pakistan's first Punjabi FM-radio channel named FM-Pechanway (FM-95) Punjab Rang, under the umbrella of PILAC, broadcasting from the Punjabi Complex.

Nuzhat has visited Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Thailand, India, UK, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong-China, South Korea, and Sri Lanka, to deliver lectures and research papers in connection with promoting the Punjabi language.

1. Bil Aakhir, Poetry (Urdu, Punjabi)
2. Sociological Philosophy of Waris Shah, The Ph.D thesis has also been translated by Indian Universities in Gurumukhi
3. Waris Shah Ka Imrani Falsafa, Published by Jamhoori Publications, Lahore Yr. 2006
4. Darshan Pattanon Paar, Poetry (Punjabi) Yr. 2007
5. Aqqal Te Ishq, Published by Saanjh Publications, Lahore, Nov. 2008
6. Ikk Seeti Maar Mitraa, Published by Saanjh Publications, Lahore, Nov. 2008
7. Mirza Sahibaan, manzoon Qissa mira sahiban, Published by PILAC, 2006
8. Chawe Fareed, Sindhi translation of Baba Fareed ud Din Gangj shakar, published by Saanjh Publications 2007
9. Rooadad, compilation of proceedings of the National Cultural Conference, organized by the Government of Punjab 2005
10. Ruadad saqafti kanference
11. My Debut in Journalism, by Zulfiqaar ali Bhutto, a compilation of published articles and columns in different international magazines and newspapers on his period as a student
12. Anto se milye (stage play)