ISLAMABAD : 15 July 2025 – Ambassador Albert P. Khorev took part in the presentation of a book of Urdu stories by contemporary Russian authors organised by the Pakistan Academy of Literature. The collection includes works by such famous writers as G.Sadulaev, T.Tolstaya, etc., artistically translated by Mujahid Mirza.
The Ambassador took liberty to criticize Ukraine despite it was only a literary program and not political. He said , ” They are changing historical work and titles of Russian orgin into their language.”
Pakistan Academy of Letters had hosted at least two major events with Embassy of Ukraine in the past. Certainly , it is not a political plate form or forum to talk on international disputes. Pakistan government is following a policy of neutrality between Russia and Ukraine.
The event marked a significant milestone in fostering literary exchange and cultural ties between Pakistan and Russia. The ceremony was presided over by eminent poet and scholar Iftikhar Arif, while the chief guest was Albert Khorev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Pakistan.
Iftikhar Arif raised the question about the writers whose stories has been translated. He said , the book does not share that who (the writer) was writing in which era? Who is from Soviet Union time and who is from Russian Federation time? He said , the translator has mentioned “contemporary” only but it is not an answer to our satisfaction !
He elaborated it as , giving example of a young writer sitting in audiance , that he and me (Iftikhar Arif) are not contemporaries, referring to age difference between the two.
Chairperson of PAL, Dr Najeeba Arif, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the importance of literary diplomacy and cultural dialogue.
She expressed PAL’s commitment to promoting global literature in Pakistani languages, stating that translations serve as bridges connecting readers across borders. She also proposed that an anthology of Pakistani short stories be translated into Russian and published by the Academy’s counterpart in Russia.
Ambassador Albert Khorev praised the initiative and emphasized the role of literature in building mutual understanding between nations.
He acknowledged the historical depth and emotional richness of Russian short stories, and appreciated the efforts of Pakistani translators in bringing them to Urdu-speaking audiences. He also hinted to establishing liaison between PAL and its Russian counterpart.
In his presidential address, Iftikhar Arif threw light on influences of Russian fiction on Pakistani literature. He also dilated upon literary contacts of both countries.
The Urdu translation was introduced by Dr. Mujahid Mirza, who also shared his insights and experiences from the translation process.
The ceremony featured thoughtful speeches by distinguished literary figures including Dr. Ludmila Vassilieva, a Russian scholar of Urdu literature, Dr. Asma Naveed, Zahid Kazmi, and Almas Haider Naqvi.
Pakistan Academy of Letters & Ukraine Embassy to Promote Cooperation in Literary Sector
The speakers lauded the literary and cultural relevance of the selected stories and discussed their thematic depth, narrative technique, and resonance with South Asian sensibilities.
Ambassador Khorev thanked the publishers of the book and the organisers of the event, stressing the importance of developing bilateral cultural cooperation.
In the final part of the presentation, the head of the Academy Najiba Arif was presented with A.N.Savenkov monograph ‘Philosophy of Law and the Development of the Russian State-Civilisation’.
Interestingly the book has been launched to enhance bilateral information and published by a gov organization but it was not made available to the senior writers and senior journalists free of cost. Many of them did not took keen interest in the book for the same reason.
Pakistan Academy of Letters has spacious halls and big conference rooms but a very small auditorium and that in the basement was made the venue of book launch where many participants could not find place to sit properly.
