Great nations are identified through the aspirations of their great men and women of letters who leave lasting prints on history. Mr Fakhar Zaman, Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) is one of such illustrious persons. A creative writer, novelist, poet and an authority on Sufi literature.
He had two tenures in PAL, first in mid-90s and second at the moment. In both of his tenures he organised grand international conferences of intellectuals and writers. Many wrote that they have rediscovered the real sole of Pakistan, embedded in love, tolerance and inter-faith harmony.
He got translated most of our sufi literature in UNO-accepted six languages. However, lately it is said that bureaucratic circles have encircled his name to tick him off the scene as Chairman PAL, on the same pretext that he is overage. All the chairmen and heads of the similar academies of intellectuals are of old age in the whole world.
ahita Academy of India, similar to our PAL, is headed by Dr Gopi Chand Narang who is in his 90s. The president of Swedish Writers Association and head of Nobel Award Committee, Mr Peter Curman is in late 80s. Similar is the case in France, German and other EU countries.
I request that such a decision must not be taken as can doom the PAL. Mr Fakhar Zaman should be allowed to continue as chairman if the government wants to revive literature and wants to earn respect to its own legacy.
JIYA LAJJA
Wazirabad
