ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui on Saturday said that the federal government announced to observe the current year as the year of “Zarb-e-Qalam” to eliminate extremism and promote harmony in the society.
In his address at a function in Islamabad on Saturday, Irfan Siddiqui said that intellectuals and writers had a role to play to discourage the extremist trends.
Irfan Siddiqui said that the federal government took various steps to promote literary activities in the country. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently announced Rs 500 million for the purpose.
The advisor said that stipend for writers had been enhanced from Rs 5,000 to Rs 13,000. He added that “Intizaar Hussain” award had also been instituted to be given a writer annually.
The prime minister’s advisor further said that the national and local languages awards were being increased from 13 to 20.
