ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 Ahmad Faraz Trust was set up as a registered body on the first death anniversary of the poet here on Tuesday.The six-member presidium consisting of Shibli Faraz, Barrister Masud Kausar, Agha Nasir, Masud Mufti, Ataul Haq Qasmi and Mahbub Zafar made the announcement at a press conference. They said the trust would achieve all that the poetic icon desired to do in his life.

Faraz's brother Barrister Masud Kausar explained that the trust may have more than ordinary undertaking. However, Agha Nasir added that the trust would at first undertake a number of tasks. Among them the first was to institute an award for the best book of poetry with a value greater than all the current monetary awards.

The holding of a grand multi-language national Mushaira would be an important item on the agenda. “We have discussed this item to revive the institution of Mushairas which is vanishing,” he observed.

The trust would devote special attention to promote works of youth and students who may have poetic talents but need a space to flourish, besides establishing libraries in a number of towns and cities beginning from Kohat.

Fiction writer Masud Mufti said while the trust office-bearers had been nominated for the first term, it would later become an elected body except for the post of the president which would be held by his son Shibli Faraz as ex-officio.

Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan is included in the board of trustees though he was not present at the inauguration of the trust. Poet Ataul Haq wanted the trust to work for promotion of and upholding of dissent which is a constituent task in promotion of democracy and since bold expression was also dear to Faraz.

Poet Mahbub Zafar said Faraz's work shines brightly though his physical presence is being missed, his memory would continue to inspire writers and intellectuals of all times.

While the press conference was in session Quran Khwani was held on the same ground at the residence of Shibli Faraz. Congregational prayer was offered to bless the soul of the poet.

In the morning, literati of the twin cities as well as a host of admirers of Faraz laid wreaths at his grave in H-8.

A number of literary organisations including Pakistan Academy of Letters, of which Faraz was the founding Director General and Chairman, as well as Rawalpindi and Islamabad chapters of Halqa Arbab Zauq, Imkan and Zavia had also brought rings of flowers and placed them on his grave.