‘Writers can make conducive ambience for peace’

Faiz Ahmed Faiz auditorium opens at PAL

ISLAMABAD: Writers and poets are the most sensitive and insightful people of any society, and the government is paying special attention to academic, literary and cultural institutions.

This was stated by Federal Minister for Education, National History and Literary Heritage Division Shafqat Mahmood on Thursday while inaugurating the Faiz Ahmed Faiz Auditorium at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL). The ceremony was organised in collaboration with PAL and the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

The Faiz Ahmed Faiz Auditorium is the first auditorium of its kind to be meritorious for literary events, he said.

“Faiz Sahib is considered as one of the pillars of Urdu poetry,” Mahmood said, adding that the ceremony is special because it is being held on the occasion of 109th birth anniversary of Faiz.

He added that Faiz is a world-renowned, multi-faceted and committed personality who played a vital role in several literary and cultural institutions, including PAL.

The education minister further said that Faiz’s work has been translated into many world languages. It is a fact that we can advance the tradition of dialogue in light of the ideas of our people.

He added that the role of writers in making the environment conducive and pleasant for peace, stability, freedom and coexistence of the region is extremely positive and commendable. Our government has always paid tribute to the services of writers and appreciates their efforts and struggles for the survival and revival of great literary and cultural traditions, he said, adding that along with literature, there has been a continuous effort to promote unity, peace, love, patience and endurance in the promotion of positive thinking in Pakistan.

“PAL is playing an effective role in this current government,” he added.

“Faiz was a legendary poet. He was a multi-faceted literary personality which marked a name in history,” Iftikhar Arif said, adding that he is a symbol of peace and love amongst this world and known as a most remarkable personality.

Faiz’s daughter, Saleema Hashmi said that until the 1970s, there was no written cultural policy.

“It was Faiz sahib who, for the very first time, scripted it and consequently cultural and literary organizations were established,” she said.

She added that her father was a man of insight whose observations were immaculate. He wanted the government to pay special attention to such cultural and literary institutions and worked for the promotion and development of literature and literary people.

Earlier, a welcome address was presented by PNCA Director General Fauzia Saeed. Faiz’s grandsons Adeel Hashmi and Ali Hashmi also expressed their views. Tajdar Mustafa Zaidi, Bano Rehmat and Farrukh Zaidi paid poetic tribute to Faiz. PAL Chairman Muhammad Salman gave a vote of thanks. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2020.