Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: As part of activities aimed at promotion of Urdu language in Turkey, a “Bazm-e-Shair o Sukhan”, was held in Ankara. The members of the Pakistani community with interest in Urdu poetry and prose participated in the event. They were joined by members of Ankara University Urdu Department, said a press release received on Wednesday from Ankara, Turkey.

The host for the event was Galib Gillani, elegantly moderated the proceedings, combining humour, selections from major Urdu poets and his own poetical compositions. During the programme, Sajjad Rajasthani, Imran Islamabadi, Dr Nishat Seemab, Asim Multani, Nauman Zameer Nauman, Prof Qamarul Islam Qamar and Shabih Haider Shabih presented their poetical renditions.

The representatives from the Urdu Department presented selections from Parveen Shakir, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Ahmed Faraz. Prof Dr AB Ashraf read a ‘sketch’ reminiscing about his stay in Ankara in the early 1990s and the literary activities held in collaboration with Pakistan embassy at that time.

While welcoming the initiative to hold the literary evening, Ambassador of Pakistan Sohail Mahmood underlined that the intensifying Pakistan-Turkey cultural cooperation is a priority for both the governments.

He lauded the activities held in Istanbul and Ankara in connection with the completion of 100 years of teaching of Urdu language and literature in Turkey.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood urged the hosts to organise such literary events on regular basis and assured full support of the embassy in this regard. He also presented commemorative stamp issued by the Pakistan Post on the occasion of 100 years of Urdu in Turkey to Ghalib Gilani and Dr AB Ashraf in recognition of their respective contributions.