Fehmida Riaz gets ‘Kamal-e-Funn’ Award

Islamabad

The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) announced ‘Kamal-e-Funn’ and National Literary Awards for the year 2014 here on Tuesday.

Prominent writer and scholar Fehmida Riaz was nominated for the highest literary award ‘Kamal-e-Funn’ 2014. Chairman PAL Professor Dr. Qasim Muhammad Bhogio flanked by the panel of judges said that ‘Kamal-e-Funn’ Award is the highest literary award in the field of literature for recognition of lifetime achievement in creative research work.

The amount of this award is Rs500,000. He said that the panel of judges unanimously selected the name of Fehmida Riaz for ‘Kamal-e-Funn’ award for her outstanding literary contributions.

He also announced the National Literary Awards for the year 2014 given on the best literary books written during the year in Urdu and other languages.

According to the decision of the panel of judges, for Urdu poetry Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal Award was given to Imdad Hussaini on his book ‘Dhoop Kiran.’ In Urdu prose, Baba-e-Urdu Maulvi Abdul Haq Award was given to Tahira Iqbal on her book ‘Zameen Rang’ and Dr. Shakeel Pitafi on his book ‘Pakistan Mein Ghalib Shanasi.’ In Punjabi language, Syed Waris Shah Award was given to Zahid Hasan on his book ‘Qisa-e-Aashiqan.’ In Sindhi, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Award was given to Taj Baloch on his book ‘Jadeed Adab Jo Tajzio.’ In Pushto language, Khushal Khan Khattak Award was given to Dr. Abdul Qudus Asim on his book ‘Da Zama Kitab De.’ In Balochi language, Mast Tawakli Award was given to Ghafoor Shad on his book ‘Balochi Classical Sahiree.’ In Seraiki language, Khawaja Ghulam Fareed Award was given to Habib Mohana on his book ‘Setlan De Dagh.’ In Barahui language, Taj Muhammad Tajal Award was given to Zauq Brahui on his book ‘Marrdata Daghare Jehlawan.’ In Hindko language, Saeen Ahmad Ali Award was given to Hasam Hur on his book ‘Qisa Khwani Kahenta Kuhar.' In translation, Muhammad Hasan Askari Award was given to Dr Amjad Ali Bhatti on his book ‘Punjab Lok Reet.’

The award money -- Rs100,000 -- will be given to every award winner for the National Literary Award 2014. The panel of judges comprised renowned writers and scholars, including Masood Ashar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Kamran, Dr Tauseef Tabbasum, Ahmad Saleem, Dr Shah Muhammad Marri, Dr Salma Shaheen, Mubin Mirza, Musarat Kalanchvi, Arif Zia, Hasam Hur and Muhammad Ishaq Samejo.