Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) has elected Fakhar Zaman, a renowned novelist, poet and a dramatist, as the first president of the recently established International Sufi Council. Scholars, intellectuals and writers from various countries voted for him. During his visit to Holland, Australia, Italy, Germany, Cheque Republic, Turkey and India, Fakhar met the delegates of the International Conference on Sufism and Peace and finalised formation of the council, which aims at highlighting a ‘soft image’ of Pakistan around the world.
Fakher said a research centre would be set up under the council, which would hold conferences and seminars and would work on different publication projects. The council’s branches would be established in different countries, while its head office would be in Lahore, he said adding that the council would work to promote the message of Sufi poets.
