Our Team

Mr. Muhammad Aslam Shahid is a distinguished officer of the Provincial Management Service (PMS) with an illustrious career spanning public administration, policy formulation, institutional governance, and public service delivery. Renowned for his dynamic leadership, administrative acumen, and commitment to public welfare, he has made significant contributions to organizational development, governance reforms, and efficient service delivery across diverse sectors of the Government of the Punjab.Over the course of his professional career, Mr. Shahid has served in several prominent leadership positions, including Director General, Child Protection & Welfare Bureau; Director Administration, Lahore Development Authority (LDA); Director Administration, Punjab Forensic Science Authority; Chief Operating Officer, Punjab Education Initiatives Management Authority (PEIMA) and Additional Secretary, Energy Department. Through these assignments, he has acquired extensive experience in strategic planning, public policy implementation, human resource management, financial administration, institutional strengthening, and stakeholder engagement.

A graduate of the prestigious Government College Lahore, Mr. Shahid earned his Master's degree in Urdu Literature from the University of the Punjab, where he was awarded the Gold Medal for outstanding academic performance. He has further enhanced his professional expertise through the Punjab Public Management Programme (PPG) and specialized international training in Renewable Energy Modern Techniques from RENAC, Berlin, Germany. His academic excellence, coupled with his administrative experience, has enabled him to successfully navigate complex governance challenges while promoting innovation and institutional excellence.

Beyond his administrative achievements, Mr. Shahid has a profound appreciation for literature, arts, and culture. A passionate advocate of Punjab's rich linguistic and cultural heritage, he possesses a deep understanding of the role of language, literature, and the arts in shaping societal values and preserving collective identity. He is also an accomplished poet whose published collection of poetry has received recognition and appreciation in literary circles for its creative depth and aesthetic merit.

As Director General of the Punjab Institute of Language, Art & Culture (PILAC), Mr. Shahid is dedicated to strengthening the institution's role as the premier custodian of Punjab's linguistic, literary, artistic, and cultural heritage. Under his leadership, PILAC is poised to further advance research, cultural preservation, artistic expression, heritage promotion, and public engagement initiatives. His vision emphasizes the harmonious integration of tradition and innovation to ensure that Punjab's rich cultural legacy remains vibrant, relevant, and accessible for present and future generations.

Dr. Muhammad Asim Chaudhry has been serving as Director of the Punjab Institute of Language, Art & Culture (PILAC) since January 2020. A distinguished scholar, editor, and cultural administrator, he possesses an extensive academic background in languages, literature, translation studies, and education. He holds Master's degrees in English and Urdu Literature, a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (PGD-TEFL), and a Bachelor of Education. He earned his M.Phil. on the mutual poetic translations of Urdu and Punjabi and completed his Ph.D. on the mutual prose translations of these languages. He further completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of the Punjab with a research study titled “Modern Trends in Translation.”

Dr. Asim has remained actively engaged in academic, literary, and editorial pursuits. He serves as Editor of Trinjan, a literary magazine, and Punjab Rung, an HEC-recognized research journal (Category “Y”). He has coordinated numerous specialized training and educational programmes, including Radio Training Courses for SAARC participants, Gurmukhi Learning Certificate Courses, and Sufiana Kalam Shanasi courses. He also served as Director (Administration) at the Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra). In addition, he has successfully completed a range of professional training programmes in Human Resource Management, Project Management, Office Management, UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Museum Education and Heritage Learning Techniques, Result-Based Management, Community-Based Inventorying of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Budget Management, Information Technology Skills, Professional Ethics, and E-Filing & Office Automation.

As a cultural professional, Dr. Asim has made significant contributions to the promotion and preservation of Punjab's linguistic, literary, artistic, and cultural heritage. He played a key role in the compilation of a comprehensive seven-volume Punjabi Dictionary, contributed substantially to the formulation of Punjab's Culture Policy, and was instrumental in the declaration of 14 March as Punjab Culture Day. He has also supervised and facilitated numerous institutional development initiatives, including the conceptualization and execution of the new main entrance gate of PILAC on Ferozepur Road, which has enhanced the institution's visibility, accessibility, and cultural identity as a premier centre for the promotion of Punjab's language, arts, and heritage.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Asim has organized and supervised hundreds of literary, academic, and cultural programmes, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, and heritage-related activities. His contributions to research, translation studies, policy development, institutional strengthening, and cultural preservation have earned him recognition as one of the leading cultural administrators and scholars working for the advancement of Punjabi language, literature, arts, and culture in Pakistan.

Qari Ayyaz Ahmad is a distinguished cultural professional with Master's degrees in Punjabi and Islamic Studies. He currently serves as Deputy Director (Language), where he plays a vital role in the planning, coordination, and implementation of linguistic, literary, and cultural programs aimed at preserving and promoting Punjab’s rich heritage.

In addition he serves as Editor of the Institute’s Trinjan Magazine, contributing to the promotion of literary discourse and creative expression. He also serves as Focal Person for PMDU, ensuring effective coordination, monitoring, and reporting of institutional initiatives. As Media Incharge, he oversees media-related activities and public outreach, strengthening the Institute’s engagement with stakeholders and the wider community.

Qari Ayyaz Ahmad is also Incharge of Punjabi Baithak, a platform dedicated to the promotion of Punjabi language, literature, and intellectual dialogue. Furthermore, he coordinates the Gurmukhi Learning Certificate Course, Singing Classes, and Chinese Language Classes, facilitating educational opportunities that encourage cultural awareness and learning.

Through his multifaceted academic background, and unwavering commitment to cultural advancement, he has made significant contributions to the promotion of Punjabi language, literature, and culture. His efforts continue to support the preservation of cultural heritage, foster literary and artistic activities, and strengthen the Institute’s role as a leading center for language and cultural development.

Since joining the Punjab Institute of Language, Art & Culture (PILAC) in 2009, Mr. Shafaat Abbas Baloch has been at the forefront figure of planning, managing, and executing major cultural, literary, publishing, and media initiatives at provincial, national, and international levels.

He has organized and coordinated hundreds of events, including cultural festivals, literary conferences, seminars, exhibitions, book launches, folk music programs, and performing arts activities. His key achievements include Punjab Culture Day Celebrations, multiple International Punjabi Conferences, and the landmark Three-Day World Punjabi Conference held at Rahim Yar Khan.

In the field of publishing, he has supervised the production of 97 books and research works, including major reference publications such as the Punjabi Dictionary (7 Volumes), Akhan Lok Siany (5 Volumes), and the acclaimed coffee table book “Traditional Games of Punjab". He has significantly contributed to the documentation and preservation of Punjab’s intellectual and cultural heritage. He has also introduced innovative cultural initiatives, including Punjab’s first Inter-University Drama Competition, aimed at promoting creative expression among youth.

In addition, he serves as the supervisory officer of the FM Punjab Rung Network, overseeing radio stations in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.  

Through his leadership, vision, and sustained commitment, Shafaat Abbas Baloch continues to strengthen institutional cultural development and advance the preservation and global promotion of Punjab’s linguistic and cultural identity.