Pakistani Embassy hosts poetry symposium

Kathmandu, July 23

The Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu, in collaboration with Sahitya Academy Nepal, hosted an international poetry symposium titled "Aalmi Mushaira: Urdu, Shaairi Ki Zubaan" in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

The event aimed at highlighting the literary ties between Pakistan and Nepal while fostering deeper cultural relations, informed the Embassy in a statement.

Distinguished guests included Members of Parliament Siraj Ahmed Farooqi (CPN-UML) and Kalpana Miya (CPN-Maoist Centre). The gathering attracted a diverse audience of Urdu enthusiasts, including politicians, academics, social activists, and officials from the Pakistan Embassy.

Renowned Urdu poets Dr.. Zafar Eleeg, Dr.. Saqib Harooni (President of Sahitya Academy Nepal), Dr. Afzal Manglori, Furqan Faizi, Musharaf Ali Khan, Zahid Azad Jhanda Nagri, Ghalib Dareeb, Altaf Farifta, and Sapna Ahsaas captivated the audience with their evocative poetic recitations, earning widespread appreciation.

Speakers at the event praised the Pakistan’s commitment to cultural promotion and commended the Embassy’s efforts in fostering Urdu literature in Nepal.

Celebrated Nepali filmmaker and author Prakash Sayami underlined the universal appeal and profound expressiveness of Urdu poetry in his remarks. According to him, Urdu poets and singers were welcomed in Nepal since 1960s.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal Abrar H. Hashmi emphasised the need for enhanced collaboration between the literary communities of Nepal and Pakistan, particularly through literary exchange and the mutual promotion of languages such as Urdu and Nepali.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 July 2025.