By Ali Imran
ISLAMABAD: A special commemorative postage stamp marking the completion of 50 years of the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) was unveiled at a ceremony held on Tuesday.
The event took place at the Sheikh Ayaz Conference Hall of PAL.
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, was the chief guest at the event. He formally unveiled the stamp alongside prominent literary figures from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The ceremony was attended by PAL’s Chairperson Prof Dr Najeeba Arif, former heads of the academy Iftikhar Arif, Abdul Hameed, Prof Dr Muhammad Qasim Bughio and Prof Dr Inam-ul-Haq Javed, as well as a large number of writers, poets, intellectuals and members of the literary community. The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a naat presented by renowned naat reciter Aqdas Hashmi and the national anthem.
A brief but dignified session was later held in which former academy heads and distinguished guests shared their views on the institution’s literary contributions.
In her welcome address, Prof Dr Najeeba Arif reviewed the academy’s five-decade journey and highlighted its role in promoting national languages and Pakistani literature.
PAL marks golden jubilee with commemorative postage stamp launch She paid tribute to the services of former heads of the institution and emphasized that literature serves as an effective means of fostering national unity, intellectual harmony and cultural connectivity.
She also outlined several ongoing initiatives, including the inter-provincial writers’ residency programme, financial assistance for deserving writers, support for regional literary institutions, monthly stipends, provincial literary conferences, renovation of the academy museum, establishment of a language museum, preservation of manuscripts and other development projects.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi praised the academy’s services and assured participants that government funding for the institution would continue without interruption.
He noted that a proposed international conference planned as part of the golden jubilee celebrations had been postponed due to prevailing international circumstances but would be organized once conditions became favourable.
The minister also referred to a proposal to increase the monthly honorarium for deserving writers from Rs13,000 to Rs25,000 and expressed hope that the measure would be included in the upcoming budget. He further assured the audience that efforts would be made to address staff shortages and resolve employees’ issues.
Writer and dramatist Dr Asghar Nadeem Syed commended the academy’s important role in the country’s literary landscape and urged the minister to revive the writers’ exchange programme with friendly countries, which he said had remained suspended for several years.
PAL marks golden jubilee with commemorative postage stamp launch
Former chairman Iftikhar Arif said the academy had provided a common national platform to writers representing different languages and had achieved standards comparable to literary institutions in developed countries.
Prof Dr Muhammad Qasim Bughio described the academy as a key institution of Pakistan’s literary identity and praised its research, publication and translation services.
Prof Dr Inam-ul-Haq Javed highlighted the academy’s contribution to the promotion of literature and culture and its efforts to connect younger generations with literary traditions over the past five decades.
The speakers unanimously stressed the need to strengthen the academy through increased human resources and an expanded scope of literary activities to ensure greater effectiveness in the years ahead.
At the conclusion, Prof Dr Najeeba Arif presented commemorative souvenirs featuring the special postage stamp to the chief guest and other distinguished participants.
