MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 13: The AJK government has decided to give cash awards of Rs25,000, Rs15,000 and Rs10,000 to local poets, writers and researchers who promoted Kashmiri literature and culture at the national and international levels.

This was announced by AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan while speaking as chief guest at a mehfil-i- mushaira held under the auspices of the Kashmir Academy and the AJK Television on the eve of the Pakistan Independence Day.

AJK Legislative Assembly speaker Shah Ghulam Qadir was also present on the occasion.

The AJK prime minister said he was contemplating holding writers’ conferences at national and international level to highlight not only Kashmir issue but also art, culture and literature of the valley.

He said the valley had produced internationally acclaimed poets and writers such as Lalla Arfa, Habba Khatoon, Allama Mohammad Iqbal and Abdul Ahad Azad.