PAL Announces Rs5.2 Millions Awards for Pakistani Writers, Poets

News Desk 

Islamabad: The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) on Wednesday declared the nomination of acclaimed writer Hassan Manzar for the prestigious Kamal-e-Fun Award for 2022. This award stands as the pinnacle of literary recognition, honoring a lifetime’s dedication to creative and scholarly endeavors.

The monetary prize associated with this accolade amounts to Rs 1,000,000. 

A distinguished panel of judges, comprising eminent writers and scholars such as Munir Ahmad Badini, Dr Moeen ud Din Aqeel, Dr Salma Shaheen, Dr Abdul Razzaq Sabir, Sarwat Mohyuddin, Riffat Abbass, Yousuf Hussain Abadi, Mubeen Mirza, Dr Khalid Mahmood Sanjrani, Dr Rubina Shaheen, Dr Amjad Tufail, Bushra Farrukh, Haris Khalique, Farrukh Yaar Khan, and Akhtar Dargahi, convened at the PAL office for the deliberation. Munir Ahmad Badini chaired the meeting.

Additionally, Dr Najeeba Arif, the Chairperson of PAL, disclosed the recipients of the National Literary Awards for 2022 during a subsequent press conference.

These awards recognize outstanding literary works penned in Urdu and other Pakistani languages throughout the year.

As per the panel’s decision, the following awards were bestowed:

Ahmad Saleem received the Saadat Hasan Manto Award for Urdu Prose (Creative Literature) for his work “Meri Dharti Mere Log.” The judging panel consisted of Muhammad Hameed Shahid, Asghar Nadeem Syed, and Khalid Fateh Muhammad.

Dr. Aurangzeb Niazi was honored with the Baba-i-Urdu Molvi Abdul Haq Award for Urdu Prose (Criticism and Research) for his book “Urdu Adab Maholiati Tanazur.” The judges were Dr. Moeen ud Din Aqeel, Dr. Khalid Iqbal Yasir, and Dr. Nasir Abbass Nayyar.

Qamar Raza Shahzad received the Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal Award for Urdu Poetry for his book “Dar Guzar.” The judging panel comprised Prof. Jaleel Aali, Dr Ehsan Akbar, and Dr. Zia ul Hassan. Ghulam Hussain Sajid was awarded the Syed Waris Shah Award for Punjabi Poetry for his work “Kun De Gunn.” For Punjabi Prose, Nain Sukh received the Afzal Ahsan Randhawa Award for his book “Waba Te Waseb.” The judges for this category were Dr Inam ul Haq Javid, Dr. Moeen Nizami, and Dr Sughra Sadaf.

Imdad Hussaini was granted the Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Award for Sindhi Poetry for his book “Zard Matti.” Mirza Qaleech Baig Award for Sindhi Prose was awarded to Manzoor Kohiar for his work “Denok 109” and Dr Fayaz Latif for his book “Shaikh Ayaz Je Shairee Jee Lughat.” 

The judges included Taj Joyo, Akhtar Dargahi, and Dr Muhammad Ishaq Samejo.

Ismail Gauhar received the Khushhal Khan Khattak Award for Pushto Poetry for his book “Ghazal o Ghazal.” Aseer Mangal was honored with the Muhammad Ajmal Khan Khattak Award for Pushto Prose for his work “Tarla Da Tarbor Vee.” The judging panel consisted of Dr. Salma Shaheen, Dr Khalil Bawar, and Dr Hanif Khalil.

Yousuf Gichki received the Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi Award for Balochi Prose for his book “Tarangani Johan.” Mubarak Qazi was awarded the Mast Tawakli Award for Balochi Poetry for his work “Gas e Watarkang Lotan.” The judges were Munir Ahmad Badin, Dr Abdul Saboor Baloch, and Dr Zia ur Rehman Baloch.

The Khwaja Ghulam Fareed Award for Seraiki Poetry is presented to Iqbal Babar for his work “Saroop,” while the Dr Maher Abdul Haq Award for Seraiki Prose goes to Hafeez Khan for his book “Marma Jeewan Dee.” The judging panel consisted of Dr Nasrullah Khan Nasir, Ms. Musarat Kalanchvi, and Rifat Abbass.

In the realm of Brahui literature, Maher Zahid Nalvi receives the Taj Muhammad Tajal Award for Brahui Poetry for his book “Qab-e-Qausain,” and Zauq Brahui is honored with the Ghulam Nabi Rahi Award for Brahui Prose for his work “Mir Noor Muhammad Mengal: Zindo Kirdar.” The judges were Dr. Abdul Razzaq Sabir, Mir Salahuddin Mengal, and Noor Khan Muhammad Hasni.

Sajid Sarhadi is awarded the Saeen Ahmad Ali Award for Hindko Poetry for his book “Piyar Dee Dewe,” while Gul Arbab receives the Khatir Ghaznavi Award for Hindko Prose for her book “Chuni Naal Baheni Kahanian.”

In the domain of English literature, Kamils Shamsie is granted the Pitras Bukhari Award for English Prose for her book “Best Friends,” and Ejaz Rahim receives the Daud Kamal Award for English Poetry for his work “Charli Hebdo and Other Poems.” Yasmeen Hameed is honored with the Muhammad Hasan Askari Award for Translation for her book “Junoobi Asia Kee Muntakheb Nazmein.” The judging panel comprised Dr. Rauf Parekh, Salman Basit, and Dr. Iqbal Afaqi.

Each winner of the National Literary Award 2022 will receive a prize of R. 200,000.