ISLAMABAD: Renowned writer and poet Kishwar Naheed was on Tuesday nominated for the Kamal-i-Fun Award 2015 by a jury selected by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).

The Kamal-i-Fun award is the highest literary award in the country in the field of literature and is awarded in recognition of creative and research work. The award is worth Rs1 million.

Ms Naheed was born in Bulandshahr in 1940, has written a number of books and received many awards including the Sitara-i-Imtiaz for her contribution towards Urdu literature.

Talking to Dawn, she said she wanted to dedicate the award to the literary community, which has supported and encouraged her throughout.

“I still remember when I was a college student and I had to recite some verses in front of Pitras Bukhari in 1955. I was shivering because Mr Bokari would be hearing the verses. He appreciated my work but criticised the way I had recited the verses,” she said.

When asked if the award was being awarded to her a bit late, she joked that perhaps the PAL had decided to award it to a writer who was around 70 years old.

“However, the award means state recognition and I appreciate my nomination for it. I have learnt that it will officially be handed over to be in January next year during an international conference,” she said.

Ms Naheed’s nomination was announced by columnist Zahida Hina.

“Three candidates were short listed for the award, including Ms Naheed, Amar Jalil and Muneer Ahmed Badini,” she said.

Ms Hina added that the jury had suggested introducing many other awards, one each for the provinces and one for writers who write in English.

PAL Chairman Qasim Bughio told a press conference that the jury consisted of literary personalities including Asghar Nadeem Syed, Mushtaq Soofi, Nasir Ali Syed, Yussouf Shaheen, Zahida Hina, Muhammad Ayub Baloch, Abdul Qayum Bedar, Dr. Najeeba Arif, Abaseen Yousafzai, Harris Khalique and Wafa Chishti.

He also announced the National Literary Awards for the year 2015 which are given to authors writing in Urdu and other Pakistani languages and said that Rs200,000 will be given to each nominee.

The Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal Award was given to Saleem Kausar for his book ‘Mein ne Ism-i-Mohammad (PBUH) Ko Likha Bohot’.

In Urdu prose, the Molvi Abdul Haq award was given to Mohammad Hamza Farooq for his book ‘Hum Nafsan-i-Khush Guzran’.

In Punjabi, the Syed Waris Shah Award was given to Zahid Hassan for his book ‘Tassi Dharti’ and in Sindhi, the Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai award was given to Rbina Abro for her book ‘Qadam Khan Adam Taeen’.

In Pashto, the Khushal Khan Khattak Award was given to Andesh Shams-ul-Qamar for his book “Pemana Da Ghazal”, in Balochi, the Mast Tawakli Award was given to Rehman Murad for his book “Burd” and in Saraiki, the Khwaja Ghulam Fareed Award was given to Tariq Ismail Ahmdani for his book “Seraiki Lok Bayania”.

In Barahui language, the Taj Muhammad Tajal Award was given to Prof. Khuda Dad Gul for his book “Malasi”, in Hindko, the Saeen Ahmed Ali Award was given to Aftab Iqbal Bano for her book “Pathar Da Jigar”.

In English, the Pitras Bukhari Award was given to Athar Tahir for his book ‘The Last Tea’ and for in the translation category, the Muhammad Hasan Askari Award was given to Hameed Jafri for his book ‘Kaheen Bhi Rah Mein Manzil Na Hogi’.

No criterion for selecting jury members

During the press conference, the PAL management was criticised for the absence of a criterion for the selection of jury members after the academy chairman said he had selected the jury. Some of the members were said to be too young or not that popular.

Mr Bughio explained that the board of governors had authorised him to select the jury and that he had tried his best in selecting a good jury.

However, he agreed that there should be a proper mechanism for nominating jury members.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2016