Every year the societies and clubs of the university organize their own cultural festivals. Among these the Bahawalpur Literary and Cultural Festival (BLCF) and Bahawalpur Trade Fair on the occasion of annual Bahawalpur Desert Jeep Rally are very popular.

Bahawalpur Literary and Cultural Festival

A two day Bahawalpur Literary and Cultural Festival inaugurated in Islamia University Bahawalpur. The celebrations started with beautiful recitation and naat competition, which was presided over by the guest Qari Muhammad Ali Abdul Aati from egypt, Al-Azhar Cairo. He recited the holy Quran in a passionate voice. Addressing the opening ceremony, Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Vice Chancellor Islamia University Bahawalpur said that for the first time in the history of the university, this kind of activity has been organized on a big scale.  Meditators, intellectuals, poets, writers and anchors from all over the country participated in this festival other than that sufi poetry mehfil along theatre, debate and digital competition were also inaugurated. Its wealth and work workshops and speeches and lake competitions have also been organized. On this occasion, he praised the head of these ceremonies Syed Tabish Alvari, JavedQqbal Chaudhry President Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce, District Administration, Mass Communication Management, Arts Council, Press Club Bahawalpur, Parks and Horticulture Authority, Radio Pakistan, DHA and cooperation of heads of other organizations. Distinguished parliamentarian Syed Tabish Alvari said that dear country Pakistan was established for the revival and implementation of Islamic civilization and culture. The former state of Bahawalpur was the guardian and protector of the great Islamic tradition. Today, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur is promoting this educational and civilization heritage to transfer it to young generation which is undoubtedly a great national service. Renowned journalist and intellect Wajahat Masood said that cities and universities are the center of civilization and culture. Cities grow civilization while universities grow cultures.  Bahawalpur and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur are the best examples of this and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur has achieved a unique position by organizing such an ideal event. Dr. Shahid Rizvi presented a dissertation on City Bahawalpur history, educational institutions, and state of Bahawalpur. On the first day, competitions were held for the social media mobile app.  Artists from different parts of Southern Punjab also performed on regional music. Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob also inaugurated an exhibition of local handicrafts where stalls of local commodities have been set up. The book exhibition was inaugurated by Syed Tabish Alvari. At the Hakra Art Gallery, art works presented by teachers and students were exhibited. A clean and green Pakistan Campaign was also launched in Baghdad-ul-Jadeed Campus for planting trees. Outside central auditorium fruits exhibition was also arranged. On this occasion, food festival was also arranged where stalls of local food along different food chains were held. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Malik Habib Ullah Bhutta, Director News Radio Pakistan Abdul HadiMayar, Sheeren Gul, Jahan Ara Abbasi, Naseer Ahmed Nasir, and other participants. Famous journalist participated on topic of Kashmir issue and Social Media Debate while many in Pakistani poets also gathered in Mushaira held on the second day of the two-day Bahawalpur Literary and Cultural Festival at Islamia University Bahawalpur, Kashmir issue, Media Communication, especially, Media Conclave on social media and youth topic were discussed. Participants said that the issue was highlighted again due to social media on international horizon and drew the attention of governments and public institutions towards the issue. The youth of occupied kashmir launched a very comprehensive campaign on this issue on social media, as a result of which the Indian Government was shaken and the echoed in the upper houses. Through social media, our youth can strengthen Pakistan’s position by highlighting Kashmir issue and other related issues. Media Conclave was presided over by Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Vice Chancellor. Renowned journalist Wajahat Masood, Naeem Masood, Director News Radio Pakistan, Abdul HadiMayar, Social Media Analyst Sheeren Gul, Prof. Dr. Aftab Hussain Gillani and Sajjad Pervez Director News Radio Pakistan were present on the occasion. Under the Literary and Cultural Festival, debates on the topic of book reading and Internet were held in which students of various educational institutions of Bahawalpur participated. In the bait-bazi competitions, the students recited poems and got a lot of praise.  In the central auditorium, Sangat Theater performed a play which was watched by more than a thousand students. At the end of the festival, internationally renowned poets and local writers participated in the all Pakistan poetry.  The general participants included Amjad Islam Amjad, Dr. Amjad Ansari, Syed Tabish Alvari, Zahid Fakhri, Salman Gillani and other poets. Later, educational and social groups appreciatedEngr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Syed Tabish Alvari Chairman Literary Festival, President Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Cooperative Organizations DHA, Bahawalpur Art Council, Department of Media Studies, District Administration, Parks and Horticulture Authority, Press Club, Radio Pakistan and contribution of other organizations in conducting Bahawalpur Literary and Cultural Festival.

Bahawalpur Trade Fair

The Islamia University of Bahawalpur will fully promote vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan to make Pakistan a popular tourist destination. Bahawalpur having a great cultural heritage dating back to thousands of years old Hakra Valley and ex princely state of Bahawalpur can be a fascinating tourist place in winters. This was stated by Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Vice Chancellor during a meeting with Javed Iqbal Chaudhry, President Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bahawalpur. The Vice Chancellor lauded efforts of Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce for organizing Trade Fair 2020 at Derawar Fort during Annual Jeep Rally. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur will showcase local art and culture, Cholistani herbal products having medicinal value and encourage thousands of youth visiting the jeep rally to promote entrepreneurship. The President of Chamber of Commerce thanked the Vice Chancellor for University participation in the trade fair which will be a new beginning in the jeep rally to project Bahawalpur culture land commerce and local agribusiness industry.