Islamabad (TDI): Iran’s Cultural Counsellor Majid Meshki visited the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) and met with Chairperson Dr. Najeeba Arif to explore new avenues of literary cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting, also attended by PAL’s Director General Sultan Nasir, focused on ways to promote mutual understanding through translations and literary exchanges.
Dr. Arif briefed the Iranian envoy on PAL’s major initiatives to promote Pakistani literature in local languages, support writers’ welfare, and expand the academy’s literary publications.
She underlined the profound influence of Persian literature on Urdu, terming it a cornerstone of Pakistan’s literary and linguistic evolution.
She introduced notable publications by the academy, including Gulbang-e-Arzoo, a Persian poetry collection by Dr. Aslam Ansari, and a Persian verse translation of Kulliyat-e-Iqbal (Urdu) by Muhammad Afsar Rahbeen, which were met with appreciation by the Iranian envoy.
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Meshki lauded PAL’s important role in promoting Pakistani literature internationally through translations and cultural outreach.
He said Pakistan and Iran share deep historical and literary connections, and urged more joint translation ventures to make each other’s literary treasures accessible to wider audiences.
He presented recent Urdu translations of Persian works published through the Iranian Consulate and assured full collaboration in future literary collaborations. “The Academy is presenting the beautiful literary face of Pakistan to the world,” he noted, while highlighting the potential of literary diplomacy in consolidating bilateral ties.
Both sides agreed to intensify joint efforts, including the exchange of literary delegations and participation in cultural festivals.
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Dr. Arif invited Iranian writers to attend PAL’s upcoming international literary conference in 2026, an offer warmly accepted by the Iranian cultural counsellor.
The meeting concluded with a symbolic exchange of books, reflecting the mutual commitment to fostering literary bridges between Pakistan and Iran.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
