reading session, the sanctity and glory of the book was highlighted. Atta-ul-Haq Qasmi, Zahida Hina, Muhammad Hameed Shahid and Asghar Nadeem Syed read out selected portions of their books whereas Anwar Shaoor, Sehr Ansari and Shahnaz Shaikh recited verses from poetry books. Mahboob Zafar was the host of this segment.
The programmes of children were also arranged.
Famous writers, intellectuals, showbiz stars and personalities of different fields of life enjoyed the event that brought amusement, knowledge and information with respect to Urdu literature.
Similarly, the Overseas Pakistani Writers Segment was also liked by everyone. The former foreign secretary and poet Akram Zaki presided over it and the chief guest was Overseas Pakistanis Foundation Managing Director Habib-ur-Rehman Khan. The writers from abroad and inland met with one another.
The Book Reading Sessions of translation of Turkish and Chinese languages into Urdu were attended by foreigners and Pakistanis as well. ‘Sufi Night’ was also held which was attended by a large number of people. Sanam Marvi, Shiraz Opal, Riaz Qadri and Sher Miandad sang songs in their unique styles and melodious voices. TV artistes Shahnaz Shaikh, Farooq Hassan and Farah Saadia were the hosts of the ‘Sufi Night’. Dr. Atash Durrani held a workshop on Textbook Writing and Development.
Other speakers were Madam Uzma and Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq. The two-day brain-storming workshop was attended by a large number of teachers, students, experts and professionals. The seminar in the honour of National Poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal was also held. The German cultural attache, famous calligrapher Aslam Kamal and Dr. Ehsan Akbar paid tributes to Iqbal’s philosophy, literature, poetry and the services for Muslims. Humayun Iqbal Shami was the coordinator of this segment. The students of Comsats Institute staged a drama based on the life of our national poet and his message. Darakhshan Batool of Fatima Jinnah University for Women presented graphic personification of Iqbal’s poetry. Another important segment was about translation of Chinese and Persian works into Urdu.