‘Literature can promote Pak-China friendship’

LAHORE: The two-day International Literary Conference on ‘Thematic Similarities between Pakistani and Chinese literature’ and a grand Mushaira organized by Academy of Letters in collaboration with Ministry of Broadcasting and Information and National Heritage, inaugurated in the provincial metropolis Tuesday.
The International Literary Conference and Mushaira is being held in connection with ‘Pak-China Friendship’ as the Pakistan government has decided to dedicated the year 2015 to the friendship of the two longstanding friends. Speaking at inaugural session, Chairman Academy of Letters Dr Qasim Bhogio said although construction of Urdu is different from the Chinese language, translations of poetry, travelogues and fiction play key role to promote literature of the two countries.
The head of the eight-member Chinese writers’ delegation expressed joy and appreciation over the reception of the Chinese writers in Pakistan and thanked his Pakistani counterparts and the Pakistani people. The Chinese delegations head said he was feeling as if he was in China .He said he was impressed with the novels of Shaukat Siddiqui and Quratul Ain Haider. He said Pakistani and Chinese literatures close to each other and in order to bring the people of the two brotherly countries an exchange of fine arts is need of the hour. Alhamra Arts Council Chairman Ataul Haq Qasmi said participation of a great number of writers reflects the level of Pak-China friendship. Renowned writer Asghar Nadeem Syed conducted the inaugural session while D.G. Zahida Parveen, barrister Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha also spoke on this occasion. The inaugural day’s programme concluded on a musical evening.