ISLAMABAD, Tuesday, July 22, 2025 : The Cultural Counsellor of Iran, Majid Meshki on Tuesday visited the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) and held wide-ranging discussions with Chairperson Dr. Najeeba Arif on enhancing literary and cultural cooperation between the two brotherly nations.
Director General of PAL, Sultan Nasir also attended the meeting, where both sides underscored the need to strengthen literary exchanges and mutual translations to deepen understanding of shared cultural heritage.
Dr. Arif briefed the Iranian envoy on PAL’s key initiatives to promote Pakistani literature in local languages, support writers’ welfare, and expand the academy’s literary publications. She highlighted the profound influence of Persian literature on Urdu, calling 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 admiration by the Iranian envoy.
Meshki commended PAL’s growing role in promoting Pakistani literature globally through translations and cultural outreach. He said Pakistan and Iran share deep historical and literary bonds, and called for 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 cooperation in future literary collaborations.
“The Academy is presenting the beautiful literary face of Pakistan to the world,” he noted, while emphasizing the potential of literary diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.
Both dignitaries agreed to intensify joint efforts, including the exchange of literary delegations and participation in cultural festivals. Dr. Arif invited Iranian writers to take part in 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.
