ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India have similar traditions, culture, art and literature, and this could play an important role in bringing both countries closer, said columnist and poet Attaul Haq Qasmi on Thursday.

Mr Qasmi was speaking at a Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) event titled ‘Meet a writer over a cup of tea’, which was held in honour of Indian literary figure Kewal Dheer.

Mr Dheer was born on Oct 5, 1938 in Vehari (now a part of Pakistan) and after partition migrated to India. He became a doctor in Patna, Bihar in 1961 and began his career as a medical officer.

He worked in a health department while also writing, and has written 101 books and a number of articles. He also worked in radio, and translated three books by the Pakistani fiction writer Abdaal Bela to Hindi.

Mr Qasmi said that there was a big responsibility on the shoulders of literary figures to play their part in building good relations between the two countries.

Mr Dheer said he was inspired by Saadat Hasan Manto and tried to emulate his style of writing.

“I believe that people on both sides of the border are very close to each other and I received lots of love during my visit to Pakistan,” he said. PAL Chairman Dr Mohammad Qasim Bughio said the ‘Meet a writer over a cup of tea’ has become very popular and a number of foreign literary figures have also participated in it as guests.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2016