ISLAMABAD, Aug 22: An American university has included illustrations of the first Pakistani female cartoonist, Nigar Nazar, in its two books, a press release here Saturday said.

The Career Center of the University of Oregon, USA, in a letter have expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Nigar Nazar of Gogi fame, for her valuable contribution in illustrating their two books published recently.

Nigar Nazar was chosen from among hundreds of world artists to illustrate the two books of the Career Center titled Resume and Career Letter Guide and Job Search and Interview Guide.

In their letter of appreciation the University commended Nigar's illustrations stating, "her creativity added the element of fun, surprise as well as intrigue to those otherwise serious workbooks."

Nigar Nazar, the first woman cartoonist of Pakistan and, perhaps, in the entire Muslim world, has been for over 30 years rendering pictorial humour with a down to earth pragmatism. Her highly expressive cartoons have provided cheer to gloomy days and help beat the hypocrisy of society.

Gogi cartoons have appeared in newspapers, magazines and books in a number of countries. For her charitable work, Nigar has received many commendations and honours from organizations such as Unicef, Media plus, Singapore, Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) International School, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, International Charity Group Maputo, Mozambique; the Word Festival of Australia, Pan-Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association.

'Gogi' the main character of Nigar's cartoons is a representative of the young, ebullient, educated and self- confident female of Pakistan. Gogi's keen observations and pithy remarks highlight her support for the children and women rights and encourage the less privileged to improve their lot.

This character has been used by many advocacy organizations for promoting and raising awareness on many issues like women rights, child labour, child safety, environment, blood donation campaigns, child sexual abuse, and other burning social issues existing in Pakistani society.

These initiatives have been supported by many local as well international organizations. The Gogi posters and messages are also commonly seen in many public transport buses plying between Rawalpindi and Islamabad and also on a few buses in Lahore.