FAISALABAD  –  The world-renowned Qawwal Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was paid rich tribute on his 78th birth anniversary here on Wednesday. In this regard, a ceremony was arranged under the aegis of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Academy (London/Faisalabad) at Municipal Library Hall. Di­rector General, Faisalabad Development Author­ity, Muhammad Asif Chaudhary was the chief guest on the occasion. During the ceremony, a birthday cake was cut and an exhibition featuring rare and historic pho­tographs of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s life was displayed in the gallery. The event was at­tended by academy directors Mian Bashir Ahmed Aijaz, Shahid Naseem, and Hameed Shakir. Political leader Rana Naeem Dastgir, business lead­er Aslam Bhalli, senior journalists Maqbool Lodhi and Javed Siddiqui, educationists Shabbir Qadri and Riaz Qadri, local poets Shahzad Baig and Kamran Rasheed as well as figures from various walks of life and admirers of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Addressing the cer­emony, FDA DG Muhammad Asif Chaudhry remarked that Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a great cultural asset to Pakistan through his unique voice and timeless art­istry. He brought global acclaim to the country and gave Qawwali a new identity on the international stage. He added that such com­memorative events play a vital role in introducing the new gen­eration to the contributions of our great artists and in preserving our national cultural heritage. Com­mending the efforts of photojour­nalist Mian Bashir Ahmed Aijaz in organising a magnificent event and an exhibition of rare, historic photographs at the dedicated Us­tad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan corner in the picture gallery, the DG Muhammad Asif Chaudhry said that Ai­jaz’s deep interest in the city’s history and culture, alongwith his services toward preserving his­torical heritage, are highly praise­worthy, adding that such initiatives play a pivotal role in highlighting Faisalabad’s cultural identity and passing it on to future generations. Photojournalist Mian Bashir Ahmed Aijaz explained that the objective behind preserving these rare pho­tographs of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is to convey his life, art, and the cultural memories associated with Faisalabad to the new genera­tion. During the event, rich tribute was paid to Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s timeless artistic contribu­tions and ‘Dua-e-Fateha’ was also offered for the departed soul.