ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) on Thursday announced Kamal-i-Fun Award for the year 2021. Renowned poet Zafar Iqbal

won the award which is also called “Life time achievement Award.”

The panel of judges consisted of well-known writers and scholars Munir Ahmad Badini, Dr Nazeer Tabassum, Dr Tahseen Firaqui, Dr Rauf Parekh, Sarwat Mohyuddin, Dr Abaseen Yousafzai, Musarat Kalanchvi, Dr Adal Soomro, Mubeen Mirza, Dr Rubina Shaheen, Mohammad Qasim Naseem, Dr Abdul Aziz Sahir and Afzal Murad. Munir Ahmad Badini presided over the meeting held at PAL.

Kamal-i-Fun Award is the highest literary award in the field of creative and research work. It also carries a cash prize of Rs1 million.

PAL Chairperson Dr Najeeba Arif announced the national literary awards given on the best literary books written during the year 2021 in Urdu and other Pakistani languages at a press conference.

PAL also announces national literary awards on best literary books

According to the decision of the panel, for Urdu prose (creative literature) Saadat Hasan Manto Award will be given to Irfan Javaid on his book “Ajaib Khana”, for Urdu prose (criticism and research) Baba-i-Urdu Molvi Abdul Haq Award will be given to Tauseef Tabassum on his book “Yahee Aakhir Ko Thahera Fun Hamara”, for Urdu poetry, Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal Award will be given to Iftikhar Arif on his book “Bagh-i-Gul Surakh”, for Punjabi poetry Syed Waris Shah Award will be given to Nasir Baloch on his book “Un Mia Bhaar” and to Shafqat Hussain on his Book “Kon Koiian De Jorr”, for Punjabi prose Afzal Ahsan Randhawa Award will be given to Zahid Hasan on his book “Kahani Ik Maan Di”.

For Sindhi poetry, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Award will be given to Khalida Nasreen on her book “Deewan” for Sindhi prose Mirza Qaleech Baig Award will be given to Zubaida Berwani on her book “Aaradhni”, for Pushto poetry Khushhal Khan Khattak Award will be given to Laiq Zada Laiq on his book “Da Watan Sandere”, for Pushto prose Mohammad Ajmal Khan Khattak Award will be given to Dr Waqar Ali Shah on his book “Abdul Ghani Khan Zond o Zaman”, for Balochi prose, Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi Award will be given to Dr Fazal Khaliq on his book “Sheeshlo”, for Balochi poetry, Mast Tawakli Award will be given to Masroor Shad on his book “Charag Laib ae Ant”, for Seraiki poetry Khwaja Ghulam Fareed Award will be given to Malik Ashtar on his book “Nazmen De Mujasme”.

For Seraiki prose, Dr Maher Abdul Haq Award will be given to Hafeez Khan on his book “Hik Raat Da Sijh”, for Brahui poetry, Taj Mohammad Tajal Award will be given to Rahim Naz on his book “Dasimsara”, for Brahui prose, Ghulam Nabi Rahi Award will be given to Zauq Brahui on his book “Brahui Giri”, for Hindko poetry, Saeen Ahmad Ali Award will be given to Imtiazul Haq Imtiaz on his book “Adhi Dua”.

For Hindko prose, Khatir Ghaznavi Award will be given to Gul Arbab on her Book “Titley, Terail Te Tareemat”, for English prose, Pitras Bukhari Award will be given to Arshad Waheed on his book “Other Days”, for English poetry, Daud Kamal Award will be given to Saher Hashmi on her Book “Othered”, for translation, Mohamamd Hasan Askari Award will be given to Saeed Naqvi on his book “Ishtea’al Kee Fasal”.

The award money of Rs200,000 will be given to each of the winners.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2023