PAL inaugurates Faiz Ahmed Faiz Auditorium.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood said on Thursday that writers and poets were the most sensitive and insightful people in any society and the government is paying special attention to academic, literary and cultural institutions.

Mr Mahmood was speaking to participants gathered at the inauguration of the Faiz Ahmed Faiz Auditorium at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), which was held on Faiz' birth anniversary.

The keynote address was delivered by Iftikhar Arif, while Muneeza and Saleema Hashmi, Faiz' daughters, were guests of honour.

The welcome address was given by Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Director General Fouzia Saeed and words of thanks were given by PAL Chairman Mohammad Salman.

Faiz' grandsons Adeel and Ali Hashmi also spoke at the event, while Tajdar Mustafa Zaidi, Bano Rehmat and Farrukh Zaidi paid tribute to the poet with a vocal and instrumental performance of his work.

The ceremony was organised by PAL and the PNCA.

Mr Mahmood said: 'Faiz is considered one of the pillars of Urdu poetry. Today's ceremony is special because it is being held on the occasion of anniversary of Faiz sahib.'

He said that Faiz is a world-renowned, multi-faceted and committed personality. He played a vital role in several literary and cultural institutions, including PAL.

'The role of the writers in making the environment conducive and pleasant for peace, stability, freedom and coexistence of the region is extremely positive...