Inaugural Session of Pakistan Academy of Letters’ Ten-Day Inter-Provincial Residency Program for Young Writers
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: The opening session of the Ten-Day Inter-Provincial Residency Program for young writers, organized by the Pakistan Academy of Letters, took place on January 16, 2025, in a prestigious ceremony. The session was chaired by Mr. Hassan Nasir Jami, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, while the special guest was internationally renowned social activist, Dr. Tariq Habib Cheema. The chairperson of the Academy, Dr. Najeeba Arif, highlighted the objectives and significance of the residency program. The Director General, Mr. Sultan Nasir, introduced the Academy’s establishment, its objectives, activities, and ongoing projects. Participants of the residency program also presented their introductions, while the session was moderated by Dr. Abid Sial. Senior Joint Secretary Mr. Sabino Sikandar Jalal, Deputy Secretaries Mr. Yasir Arfat and Mr. Saleem Akhtar also attended the event.
Mr. Hassan Nasir Jami, the Federal Secretary, emphasized that the Inter-Provincial Residency Program organized by the Pakistan Academy of Letters is a unique initiative, offering writers from all corners of the country the opportunity to meet and learn from each other, fostering mental harmony and unity. He congratulated the Chairperson and her team for bringing such a distinctive program to fruition for the first time in the country’s history.
Dr. Tariq Habib Cheema, the special guest, expressed his concern about the sense of despair and frustration among the youth and urged that the new generation must be shown the path of hope. He considered it an honor to join the event, attended by writers from across the country.
Dr. Najeeba Arif, Chairperson of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, elaborated on the goals and purposes of the ten-day residency program. She mentioned that the Academy had received 209 applications from writers across the country. A committee of seasoned writers was formed to review the applications, considering factors such as regional representation, priority for writers from remote areas, quality and quantity of publications, gender balance, minority representation, age limits (under 40), and representation of differently-abled individuals. After a thorough review, 20 writers, both male and female, were selected. She stated that the program’s aim is to enhance the literary abilities of young writers, bring marginalized writers to the mainstream, promote international, inter-provincial, inter-cultural, and inter-lingual harmony, and foster an environment of respect and understanding. During the program, participants will visit PTV, Radio Pakistan, and other literary institutions, interact with members of literary organizations, engage in dialogues with both young and senior writers, attend literary events, and explore tourist destinations. The literary connections established during this program will leave a lasting impact on the literary landscape of Pakistan for decades.
The ceremony also featured impressive literary introductions from the participants. Notable writers among the guests included Mr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Mustafa, Mr. Abdul Hafeez (Hafeez Tabassum), Mr. Kashif Nasir, Dr. Sanaur Iqbal, Hafiz Muhammad Naeem Abbas, Syed Asif Hussain Shah, Syed Qais Raza, Ms. Eram Imtiaz Awan, Mr. Muhammad Wali Sadiq, Mr. Muhammad Muslim, Mr. Nadeem Gulani, Mr. Mehrullah Nalvi, Mr. Zubair Ahmad, Ms. Eram Jafar, Mr. Tufail Abbas, and Mr. Mustafiz Ur Rehman.
At the conclusion of the event, Dr. Najeeba Arif, Chairperson of the Academy, presented a set of the Academy’s publications to Mr. Hassan Nasir Jami and Dr. Tariq Habib Cheema.
