LAHORE: (Monday, December 18, 2023): President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi has said that promotion and patronage of academic and literary activities and social sciences in Pakistan is his first priority. He expressed these thoughts while speaking at the ‘Dr Jameel Jalbi Literary Award’ ceremony at a private hotel. On this occasion, PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, Director Institute of Urdu Language & Literature Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran, Head of Jameel Jalbi Chair Prof Dr Ziaul Hasan, Jameel Jalbi’s son Dr Khawar Jameel, writers, intellectuals, academics and others were present. In his address, Dr Arif Alvi congratulated the winners of the award. He said that he will continue to play his role to bring the bright and positive face of Pakistan before the world. In his address, Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood said that PU is the most important institution in Pakistan for the promotion of research. He said that the Oriental College, a shining example of the promotion and development of Oriental studies, has taken a historic step today through the Jameel Jalbi Literary Award. Dr Khawar Jameel thanked the distinguished guests and appreciated the role of Jameel Jalbi Foundation and Punjab University in promoting and publishing the work of Dr Jalbi in literature and research. Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran reiterated his determination that he will continue to play an active role in organizing events like the Jameel Jalbi Literary Award for the promotion of research and oriental studies in Pakistan. He said that PU is trying to encourage writers and strengthen the culture of research. Prof Dr Ziaul Hasan reviewed the two-year performance of Jameel Jalbi Research Chair. Later, the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi distributed the awards. In the ceremony, Jameel Jalbi Award for Literary Research was given to Dr Khurram Shahzad's book Basis Philosophy written by Jacques Dared, Literary Translation Award to Yasmin Hameed’s book Selected Poems of South Asia and Children’s Literature Award to Tasneem Jafari’s book Jangal Kahani.