CHAKWAL, Feb 13: Speakers at a conference here paid tributes to Faiz Ahmad Faiz and said he was one of the most distinguished poets of the world.

The conference was organised by Centre for Rural Development.

Speaking on the occasion, Liaquat Ali, a retired professor of English at Government Postgraduate College, Chakwal, said for the first time the government was celebrating the birthday of Faiz at the state level. This marks a break from the past when governments viewed Faiz a repugnant to Pakistani culture.

Faiz was a true Pakistani humanist. His poetry is about peace, love and coexistence that once made part of our culture. Our culture has deteriorated to the extent that society now seldom practices tolerance and coexistence. "Today we have a tunnel vision of all things around," he said.

Responding to a question whether our media was promoting Western culture, he lamented that the media, particularly electronic media, was doing little to promote any culture.

Tanveerul Islam and Iftikhar Haider also spoke on the occasion.