Event celebrates Pothohari language

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) recently hosted an informal session of its weekly literary series "Chai, Baatain aur Kitaabain," celebrating Pothohari language and literature. The event was organized under the leadership of PAL Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief Muhammad Asim Butt.

Writers, poets, and intellectuals from Rawalpindi and Islamabad took part in the gathering, sharing their deep connection with the Pothohari language. Speakers discussed the literary and aesthetic dimensions of Pothohari poetry and prose, noting that it not only reflects the region's rich cultural heritage but also serves as a vital medium for passing local traditions and values to future generations.

A special tribute was paid to renowned writer Aziz Malik, with participants recalling that even the celebrated Urdu author Mumtaz Mufti valued his prose and often shared his works with him - underscoring the influence of Pothohari writers on Urdu literature.

Speakers also highlighted the historical and cultural significance of the Pothohar region, praising its people for preserving their unique language and traditions despite centuries of external influence.

Participants urged institutional measures to safeguard Pothohari's literary heritage, including the establishment of a dedicated section for Pothohari books in PAL's library.