ISLAMABAD, Sept 30 The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) is launching Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Award on the books written on former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in regional languages.

PAL Chairman Fakhar Zaman said that Rs100,000 would be given to a book in every regional language written on Ms Bhutto during 2008 and 2009, says a press release issued here on Wednesday.

The writers have paid tributes to the slain leader in their own way, he added

The PAL has decided to confer one award for the book on prose or poem in Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Seraiki and English.

Mr Zaman said the committees of judges to select a book from every language would be formed soon.

He requested to the writers to send 10 copies of each book to the authority to participate in the contest.