Eighty projects worth over Rs 29 approved to promote literature, national heritage

ISLAMABAD, Jun 22 (APP):Executive Committee of PM Endowment Fund Friday approved eight projects worth Rs over 29 million to promote and preserve literature and national heritage.
The body’s maiden meeting, chaired by Secretary National History and Literary Heritage Division Engineer Amir Hassan, also decided to hold an international conference of writers under aegis of the Academy of Letters, this year.
The committee has approved the proposal of International writers conference worth Rs 7 million presented by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
The project of conservation and presentation of Shah Allah Ditta caves Islamabad worth Rs 3.6 million, conservation and presentation of Buddhist Stupa and mosque at Ban Faqiran, Islamabad worth Rs 5 million and Up-gradation of Islamabad Museum to provide new show case and make museum more interactive for visitors, worth Rs 4 million were presented by Department of Archeological and Museums (DOAM).
Book fair in any small city of the country worth Rs 3.0 was presented by National Book Foundation (NBF)
International Iqbal Conference in November 2018 (Lahore) worth Rs 2.5,proposed by Iqbal Academy Pakistan (IAP) Lahore.
Calligraphy Exhibition worth Rs 2.5 was presented by National Language Promotion Department and Publication of book on international Calligraphy Exhibition held in August 2017 in collaboration with IRCICA worth Rs 1.5 million presented by National History and Literary Heritage Division have been approved by the committee.
The committee also decided to give special attention on holding book-fairs in small cities to provide books at discounted rates and promote the culture of friendship with books in far-flung areas.
The meeting stressed the need to propagate personality and thinking of national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal through increased research in collaboration with international experts.
Among others, the meeting was attended by former secretary Ejaz Rahim, renowned writer Musharraf Ali Faruqi, Dr M Ashraf and senior officials of the division.
The meeting expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of renowned humor-writer Mushtaq Yousafi. The participants paid tribute to the deceased for his meritorious literary services. Earlier, Fateha was offered for the departed soul.