25/08/2026
The Pahari Section of the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) today organized a grand one-day Pahari Literary Meet at Government Degree College, Karnah. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from prominent literary figures, poets, and intellectuals of the region.
Senior JKAS officer Mr. Abdul Hameed Khan graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Dr. (Prof.) Assadullah Khan, Principal of GDC Karnah, presided over the function. President of the Bar Association, Adv. Qazi Mehboob Illahi, attended as the Guest of Honor. Senior writer and artist Mr. Abdul Rasheed Qureshi and Dr. A.H. Masoodi, Special Secretary, IT Department, were also seated in the presidium. Notable presence at the event included senior literary figure Shafi Ishfaq Saeed.
During the literary session, research papers highlighting diverse aspects of Pahari language and literature were presented by Abdul Rasheed Lone Gamgeen, Mir Ghulam Hyder Nadeem, and Mohd Ayoub Nayeem.
The poetic session saw captivating recitations by renowned poets including Ab. Aziz Maldyal Nadeem, Abdul Rasheed Qureshi, Shabir Ghazi, Mashkoor Ahmad Shad, Iftikhar Qureshi, Shakeel Awan Sagar, Mukhtar Awan, Mir Khushal Faizi, Ghulam Yehya Qais, Sajjad Malik, Sajjad ul Hassan, Zameer Ahmad Awan, Raja Nazir Khan, Safeer Beidar, Azad Khan Azad, and Amjid Sheikh, Mansoor Shedai. In the short story segment, fiction writers including Raza Javaid Qureshi presented their literary work.
The proceedings were conducted by Abdul Wahid Manhas, Research Assistant (Pahari), JKAACL, who also delivered the welcome address and presented the vote of thanks. Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Wahid Manhas deliberated upon the overall functioning, literary activities, and ongoing publication initiatives of JKAACL, particularly the Pahari Section.
In his presidential address, Principal Dr. Assadullah Khan commended JKAACL for the initiative, stating: "It is a highly welcoming and commendable step that JKAACL is bringing senior litterateurs and emerging writers together on a shared platform, enabling the younger generation to learn from the expertise of their seniors.