ISLAMABAD, August 19, 2026: Congratulations are pouring in from academic, literary and educational circles following the nomination of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, Director General of the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD), Islamabad, for Pakistan’s prestigious civil award, the Sitara-i-Imtiaz.A number of prominent scholars, writers and academics visited the National Language Promotion Department on Wednesday to meet Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, present him with bouquets and congratulate him on his nomination for the prestigious national honour.
The delegation included Chairperson of the Pakistan Academy of Letters Prof. Dr. Najiba Arif, Head of the Department of Urdu at Allama Iqbal Open University Prof. Dr. Arshad Mahmood Nashad, Head of the Department of Urdu at the International Islamic University Islamabad Prof. Dr. Humaira Ashfaq, Dr. Raheela Kausar, Dr. Rabia Kiani, Dr. Ghazal Yaqoob, Qaiser Abbas Khan and Dr. Amjad Kallu, among other distinguished academics and literary figures.During the meeting, the guests appreciated Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar’s longstanding contributions to education, research, teaching, literature and administration. They said his services for the promotion of Urdu language and literature, strengthening the national language and enhancing the effective use of Urdu were highly commendable.They described his nomination for the Sitara-i-Imtiaz as a recognition of his valuable academic and literary contributions.Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar thanked the distinguished guests for their warm wishes and said that Urdu represents Pakistan’s national identity, cultural heritage and national unity.He said efforts should continue to modernise Urdu in line with contemporary requirements and expand its use in research, education, technology, government institutions and academic fields.
He further said the National Language Promotion Department would continue working for the promotion, research and development of the national language while strengthening cooperation with universities and other academic and research institutions.The visiting scholars and literary personalities expressed their best wishes to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar and hoped that he would continue using his academic and administrative expertise to promote Urdu language and literature and contribute towards the effective implementation of the national language.
