Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Chairperson of the Punjab Higher Education Commission, urged attendees to spread brotherhood, patience and help for the deserving as a way to counter discrimination and impatience, addressing the concluding session of the three-day Chrysanthemum and Autumn Flower Show at the Institute of Horticulture Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. He praised the exhibition as a showcase of the beauty and diversity of floriculture and highlighted the opportunity for Pakistan to expand its share of the global floriculture market and earn valuable foreign exchange.
Dr Zulfiqar Ali, Vice Chancellor of UAF, joined Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and other dignitaries for the closing remarks and reiterated that the university’s annual expos bring scientists, experts and the farming community together to share new technologies and research. He noted that events such as the Flower Show also give the public a welcome respite from routine and a chance to enjoy time with family and fellow plant enthusiasts.
Dr Ahmad Sattar and Dr Iftikhar Ahmad reported that more than 200 types of flowers were on display, making the exhibition a centre of attraction for floriculture lovers. Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan also emphasised that PHEC supports need-based, tangible research work to address practical challenges and to help shape students’ skills for a brighter future.
Alongside the floral exhibition, UAF organised a high-level Dialogue on Flood 2025: Management System’s Performance and Lessons for Future under the directives of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali. The event was convened by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, to critically review the flood response during the 2025 event and to propose forward-looking strategies for improved disaster-risk governance.
The chief guest at the dialogue was Engr. Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah, Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters and Joint Secretary (Water), Ministry of Water and Power. Speakers included Engr. Amjad Saeed from IRSA, Muhammad Ejaz Tanveer of the Federal Flood Commission, Engr. Muhammad Asim Shoaib of the Punjab Irrigation Department, former VC Dr Rai Niaz, Dean Dr Anjum Munir and Dr Muhammad Adnan Shahid, chairman of the hosting department. Their presentations and discussions examined institutional performance, coordination and technical gaps revealed during the floods.
Speakers warned that accelerating climate change, including rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, is increasing the frequency and severity of disasters such as floods and droughts. They emphasised that flood inundation mapping, supported by advanced geospatial and hydrological analysis, is essential for timely monitoring, mitigation planning and sustainable water resource management. The dialogue combined expert talks with interactive sessions aimed at producing practical, resilient approaches and research-driven recommendations for future flood preparedness.
The combined public exhibition and technical dialogue illustrated UAF’s dual role in promoting floriculture and advancing applied research on water and disaster management, reinforcing the university’s contribution to both local livelihoods and national resilience.
