ISLAMABAD, Nov 5: Prominent Punjabi novelist and the newly appointed Chairman of Pakistan Academy of Letters PAL, Fakhar Zaman has expressed his resolve to make

PAL a vibrant institution of the country and said he will surely work with writers and progressive intellectuals of the country.

In his maiden address to the officers and staff members of the Academy after assuming responsibilities as the new PAL chairman, Fakhar Zaman, said it was his ambition to make this institution known to the whole world.

He said institutional linkages with different countries like Turkey, Sweden, India and other countries of the South Asia would be enhanced.

Fakhar Zaman replaces Iftikhar Arif who had earlier resigned to make way for this inevitable transition after eight years’ stint in this position.

This is for the second time that Fakhar Zaman is assuming charge as chairman of the Academy. He was appointed as PAL chief for the first time in 1995.

Mr Zaman, who is one of the founding leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party, pointed out that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto set up the Academy, saying dynamic projects would be initiated and the PAL would be given a progressive look to make Z.A. Bhutto’s dreams come true.

He emphasized that only wisdom and knowledge can ensure progress and development of any nation.

“History gives us this lesson that behind every revolution there was an intellectual force which gave the movement right direction and guided leaders and activists. So it is necessary to encourage progressive thinking in literature and promote progressive intellectuals”, he remarked.

He said that Pakistan Academy of Letters was a multidimensional institution and it could bring about a big change in the literary scene of the country.

He asked the PAL staff to work as a dedicated team to materialize the projects.

Welcoming the new chairman, Zaheeruddin Malik, Director-General of the Academy, assured him full co-operation of the whole staff.

The director -general and staff also presented flowers to the new chairman.

Fakhar Zaman has been

awarded the ‘Hilal-i-Imtiaz’,

the highest Pakistani literary award, for his contribution

to Punjabi literature and culture.

He is also the first ever Pakistani to receive Punjabi language and literature’s highest award, the ‘Shrimani Sahitya Award’ conferred on him by the Indian government for being the best Punjabi novelist of the 20th century.