Pakistan Academy Of Letters (PAL)
Pakistan Academy of Letters was established during the premiership of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as an autonomous organization in July, 1976. In 1978, the Aims and Objectives of the Academy were formulated. Dr. Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi (Late) become the first President of the Academy’s Founding Fellows among whom were prominent men of letters representing different languages of Pakistan like Mr. A.K.Brohi, Mr. Hafeez Jalandhri, Mian Sad Rasool Rasa, Prof. Ahmad Ali, Mr. Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, Mr. Sharif Kujahi and Dr. N.A. Baloch. Dr. Shafique-ur-Rahman was appointed the Academy’s first Chairman in December 1980. A Board of governors was also established in 1978.
Functions of PAL
- To advise the government on different policy matters for the promotion of Pakistani languages, literature of these languages and the welfare of Pakistani men of letters.
- To facilitate the promotion of creative literature in consonance with the ideology of Pakistan.
- To determine research priorities in the field of literature and to undertake research projects.
- To evaluate the performance of various learned bodies and institutes of higher learning and to scrutinize and assess their new projects and release grants to the.
- To set up a Bureau of the Translation for the translation of selected works into the national and other Pakistani languages for promoting greater cohesion and intellectual understanding among the people of different regions.
- To promote and supervise the production of standard works of references e.g. dictionaries, encyclopedias etc, in the national and other Pakistani languages.
- To establish a language laboratory, a language library and a documentation center to facilitate research.
- To undertake and recommend suitable measures for the promotion of creative writing.
- To undertake or recommend suitable measures for the introduction of Pakistani literature in foreign countries.
- To produce a literary periodical in Urdu.
- To form an authoritative body of consultants for all matters related to literature and letters.
- To nominate persons or recommend names for various literary awards and distinctions.
- To represent or advise the government relating to literature and letters.
- To accord national recognition to eminent personalities for their services to literature and letters and to publish their research work of national importance done by them.
- To provide financial support to needy writers and to safeguard their interest.
- To recommend measures for the promotion of printing and publishing industry in the country.
- To ensure the representation of Pakistan in the International literary events and to provide authentic advice to the government in this regard.
- To establish ties with the literary institutions of other countries for the exchange of information to enhance the literary and scholarly potential to the Academy.
- To materialize such projects of language and literature through the ministry of foreign affairs that may generate funds for the Academy.
- To take suitable measures for the promotion of publication industry in the country.