The Pak Tea House has been renovated and reopened almost 10 years after it was closed down. PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ/EXPRESS
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the cafe on Friday.
The tea house used to be a favourite amongst writers, poets and intellectuals. It was closed about 10 years ago by the owner Zahid Hassan who cited bad business as the reason for the decision. The place was initially rented out to tyre traders and later given to Bashir Sons for use as a warehouse. However, the city government decided to run the tea house under administration.
On this occasion Nawaz told the media that writers are the people who spread the message of love and have occupied a prominent position before and after Pakistan had come in to being.
The PMLN chief said that not only he is happy with the Pak Tea House opening up, but that the writers and authors are equally excited too.
Recalling the days he used to study in the Government College of Lahore, he recalled passing through the road everyday where the tea house is located.
Famous poets, Faiz, Ibn Ansha, Faraz, Manto, Munir Nayazi, Meera, Nasir Qazmi and many other important figures have visited to the Pak Tea House in the past.
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Pak their thoughts. It was a great place for such meetings. We received a shock when it closed the doors. And the cultural activity came to abrupt end. We waited for ages for its opening. The tea was almost free. Only a rupee was charged. Many great men of letters sat on its table. These memories will haunt uds for a long time. It is good news for all of us, the cultural activity will start again.tea House used be a central place is conveniently located and accessible on foot. Many generations of writers have one bye, and become the relic of glorious pst. lace for the writers to assemble and share
When the doors were slammed last time the window of opportunity closed for a long time. Such places are part of our rich cu;tural history and must be preserved. The nation who yake care of their heritage are grateful to their national heroes. We must bring back the real atmosphere of its glorious past.
Tea hose will spur the activity and provide a refuge to writers.
JAVAID BASHIR LAHORE
Great news, I am so happy, have heard so many stories. Lets hope it runs successfully bringing all the positive thinkers together. I dont care how it happened it least it has,
Thas good to know...
their website is awsome..I can't visit that as i don't live in lahore:(
Fahd is the man....:)
@Fahd: Sour grapes by an MQM or PTI follower?!?!
Show some grace, this restoration of a national landmark .
Do you know what national means?? Or do you only understand the word 'provincial'?
Its so delightful to see this intelligencia-gathering-point reopen. I wonder why Mian Nawaz Sharif opened it now? After governing for 5 years in Punjab? He could have done it earlier, right? Just another futile effort to win praise form intellectuals just before elections.
Long Live Pak Tea House!
Shame on traditional politicians who try to fool public with old techniques!
It is a tremendous effort to promote Literature & Cultural activities in City and Country and once again credit goes to PMLN and his Chief MNS. There are lots of People who survive just to criticize others Good work infect they cant digest good things happing.
@Fahd: if we can elect Mr. Zardari as our president unanimously, then its just a cafe :]
@Fahd: Hehe..... yes! But he does recall passing by it every day on his way to college!
@Fahd:
And its a pity that people like you will always be negative and jealous.
Pak Tea house is a place frequently visited by intellectuals and writers and thinkers of society....... and the irony is that a man like Nawaz Sharif is inagurating it. What a joke!