Folk singer Shaukat Ali was awarded the Pride of Punjab Award by the Pakistan Institute of Language, Art and Culture (PILAC) at a ceremony held here at the PILAC auditorium on Saturday.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Ali said he felt honoured. He said, “The award comes from a country I love and where I was born.

It comes from a region [Punjab] which has been like my mother to me,” he said. “There is nothing like a gift from mother,” he said.

Ali recalled that had received the Voice of Punjab award in 1976.

“I received that award when I was in Europe…This time it’s different, I am at home,” he added.

In addition to the citation, the PILAC award carries Rs100,000.

The auditorium was filled with people. Many had brought flowers and queued up to have a picture taken with Ali.Folk singer Shaukat Ali was awarded the Pride of Punjab Award by the Pakistan Institute of Language, Art and Culture (PILAC) at a ceremony held here at the PILAC auditorium on Saturday.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Ali said he felt honoured. He said, “The award comes from a country I love and where I was born.

It comes from a region [Punjab] which has been like my mother to me,” he said. “There is nothing like a gift from mother,” he said.

Ali recalled that had received the Voice of Punjab award in 1976.

“I received that award when I was in Europe…This time it’s different, I am at home,” he added.

In addition to the citation, the PILAC award carries Rs100,000.

The auditorium was filled with people. Many had brought flowers and queued up to have a picture taken with Ali.