Pakistan and Iran Pledge Stronger Literary Bonds Through Cultural Diplomacy

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Pakistan and Iran have committed to strengthening their cultural and literary ties through enhanced translation projects and writer exchanges, fostering deeper mutual understanding. This initiative, rooted in their shared historical and linguistic heritage, aims to promote cultural diplomacy and preserve their rich literary traditions.

The recent visit of Iran’s Cultural Counsellor, Majid Meshki, to the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) in Islamabad marked a significant step toward revitalizing literary cooperation between the two nations. Meshki praised PAL’s efforts in promoting Pakistani literature globally and emphasized the deep historical connections between Persian and Urdu literary traditions. He highlighted the potential of joint translation ventures to make Persian literary works accessible to Pakistani audiences, and vice versa. He also presented Urdu translations of Persian works, published through the Iranian Consulate, as a gesture of goodwill.

Chairperson of PAL, Dr. Najeeba Arif, elaborated on the Academy’s initiatives to promote Pakistani literature in regional languages and to support writers’ welfare. She emphasized the profound influence of Persian literature on Urdu, describing it as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s cultural identity. Dr. Arif invited Iranian writers to participate in PAL’s upcoming international literary conference in 2026, an invitation that Meshki warmly accepted. Both sides agreed to deepen cultural ties through festivals and literary delegations, aiming to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps. The Director General of PAL, Sultan Nasir, also attended the meeting, reaffirming the commitment to mutual cultural enrichment.

This renewed focus on literary collaboration reflects the broader historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Iran, which share a 905-kilometer border and a legacy of Persian influence across the Indian subcontinent. The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s broader push for regional cultural diplomacy, fostering unity and people-to-people connections through shared heritage. By prioritizing these efforts, both nations aim to preserve their literary legacies while strengthening ties in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.