Pakistan, Azerbaijan take new steps to promote Children’s literature, publishing cooperation

ISLAMABAD, Oct 24 (APP):National Book Foundation (NBF), Pakistan, and Azerbaijan have taken an important step towards strengthening literary ties and expanding access to quality literature for children.

During the Baku International Book Fair 2026, Murad Ali Mohmand, Director (Headquarters), National Book Foundation, met with representatives of Azerbaijan’s publishing house, 3 Alma Publisher, to discuss translation of children’s literature, publishing rights and opportunities for joint publishing initiatives.

The meeting focused on translating Nizami Ganjavi: Fitna from the Poem of Seven Beauties, a work associated with the renowned Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi, into Urdu and publishing it in Pakistan for children and young readers.The book is available in Azerbaijani and English, said a message received here on Saturday.

Both sides reached an agreement in principle to provide NBF with publishing rights free of charge for the Urdu translation and publication of the book, with both organizations’ identities featured in the joint publication.

As a significant step towards advancing this collaboration, 3 Alma Publisher presented a copy of the book to NBF to initiate preliminary work on its Urdu translation.

The publishing rights agreement is expected to be signed electronically following the conclusion of the book fair. This initiative is expected to strengthen cultural and literary relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan while introducing Pakistani children to international literature and the creative traditions of diverse cultures.

Such initiatives are part of NBF’s broader efforts to promote reading habits among children, improve access to quality literature and make literary works from different languages available to Urdu readers.