BRITISH actor Art Malik has received the Pakistan society’s Jinnah Medal at the 68th annual dinner held last week at the Great Hall, Lincoln’s Inn.
Pakistan high commissioner, Moazzam Ahmad Khan and ambassador Leena Salim Moazzam were the guests of honour at the event.
Architect Prof Yasmeen Lari, the Sir Arthur Marshall visiting professor of sustainable design and visiting fellow at Jesus College, Cambridge and co-founder of the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan, was the keynote speaker.
Syed Mahmood Masood, honorary secretary of the Pakistan Society, said, "The award is being given to the Pakistan born British actor, Art Malik, in recognition of his many notable achievements in an international career spanning 45 years to date in film, television and theatre, as well as for his philanthropic work for the visually impaired”.
The 68th annual dinner of the Pakistan society was held at the Great Hall, Lincoln’s Inn
Malik was born Athar Ul Haque Malik in Bahawalpur in 1952. During the past four decades, he has been active on the global stage from London’s west end to Broadway in New York, with over 44 television productions and more than 34 feature films to his name, a statement said.
He also worked with some of the best writers, actors, producers and directors in the industry. His latest film was Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Malik has been as co-chairman of the Graham Layton Trust, which has provided free eye care to over 56 million patients in Pakistan through the Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust hospitals and clinics.
Dr. Arif Alvi, president, Pakistan, said, “I am delighted to note that the society for many decades has enhanced people-to-people ties and civil society cooperation between Pakistan and the UK. By promoting a deeper appreciation of Pakistani art, culture, literature, history and heritage, the society continues to help nurture bonds of friendship, understanding and goodwill among our two nations and people. We value the important role played by the Society in carrying forward the historic legacy of Pakistan-UK partnership to our future generations.”
High commissioner Ahmad Khan, said, “The Pakistan Society is the flag bearer of the abiding friendship between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. It continues to play a commendable role in fostering greater understanding of Pakistan and its rich literary and cultural heritage and in this way, bringing Pakistan and the UK closer together."
The chairman of the Pakistan society, Sir William Blackburne, said, "This year’s dinner gave us a chance to toast not only the health the president of Pakistan, who is the Society’s Patron, but also, and for the first time, the health of King Charles and Queen Camilla.”
Founded in 1951 and based in London, the Pakistan society aims to increase public knowledge in Britain of the arts, history, geography, economic life and institutions of Pakistan. The event was supported by Bestway, UBL UK, British Pakistan Foundation and HBL Bank UK, the statement added.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)