Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature Conferences

It is both significant and symbolic of the changing scenario in the subcontinent that the delegation had dinner at the residence of Javed Iqbal, the son of the great poet Iqbal who wrote one of our national songs – ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha ...’
On 18 October, besides other big and small engagements, the Indian writers were given a reception by Pak-India Forum. On the presidium were Ajeet Cour, Tahira Mazhar Ali, Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi and Mubashir Hasan while Kishwar Naheed moderated the session. The Indian writers were welcomed with a poem by Faiz Ahmad Faiz which was mellifluously recited by Shoab Hashmi, son-in-law of the great poet. The Welcome Addresses were delivered by Liaqat and I.A.Rehman while the Key Speakers were Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi and Ajeet Cour. The programme concluded with a short cultural fiesta which included Kalam-e-Bahu by Iqbal Bahu and a skit.
On 19 October, the delegation proceeded to Islamabad where they were welcomed by a committee of Pakistani writers which included Ahmad Faraz, Shabnam Shakeel, Fateh Mohammad Malik, Mansha Yad, Shameem Zaidi and Neelofar Iqbal.


Indian and Pakistani writers dancing in tune with the totally intuned atmosphere of harmony, friendship and peace.
It is both significant and symbolic of the changing scenario in the subcontinent that the delegation had dinner at the residence of Javed Iqbal, the son of the great poet Iqbal who wrote one of our national songs – ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha ...’ On 18 October, besides other big and small engagements, the Indian writers were given a reception by Pak-India Forum. On the presidium were Ajeet Cour, Tahira Mazhar Ali, Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi and Mubashir Hasan while Kishwar Naheed moderated the session. The Indian writers were welcomed with a poem by Faiz Ahmad Faiz which was mellifluously recited by Shoab Hashmi, son-in-law of the great poet. The Welcome Addresses were delivered by Liaqat and I.A.Rehman while the Key Speakers were Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi and Ajeet Cour. The programme concluded with a short cultural fiesta which included Kalam-e-Bahu by Iqbal Bahu and a skit. On 19 October, the delegation proceeded to Islamabad where they were welcomed by a committee of Pakistani writers which included Ahmad Faraz, Shabnam Shakeel, Fateh Mohammad Malik, Mansha Yad, Shameem Zaidi and Neelofar Iqbal.	It was in Rawalpindi, in Holiday Inn Hotel, that the 3-day Conference on ‘Pen and Peace – the Role and Relevance of Writers and Intellectuals in Reconciliation and Peace-Building’ was held. The Inaugural Session centred on the theme - ‘How the writers can promote an atmosphere of peace?’ was held at Holiday Inn. In this session, the Welcome Addresses were made by Zehra Nigah and Khadim Hussain while Ajeet Cour was the Key Speaker. In her speech, Ajeet Court brought out how writers’ meets provided an oasis in the hot, sprawling deserts around them. By promoting the ideas and values of peace through their writings, the writers can extend the boundaries of such oases further and further so that ultimately the whole region becomes an all-encompassing oasis and the desert ceases to exist. This initiated a large number of presentations and interventions in which the speakers offered comments on how writers of the subcontinent could promote peace through creative writings. Kishwar Naheed moderated the session.