acknowledgement
ISLAMABAD
A lift for senior poets and writers was inaugurated at the Pakistan Academy of Letters on Tuesday with the generous support of noted literary figure Mrs Qaisera Alvi and her family, as the academy also celebrated its 50th anniversary. A special ceremony was organised at the academy to mark both the installation of the elevator and the golden jubilee celebrations of the PAL. Speakers on the occasion paid rich tributes to late Abdul Hamid Alvi and acknowledged the Alvi family’s longstanding contribution towards literary and cultural activities in the twin cities.
Chairperson of the academy, Dr Najeeba Arif, praised the Alvi family for their support and termed the installation of the lift a valuable gift for elderly poets and writers who often faced difficulty climbing stairs to attend literary events at the academy.
She said the initiative reflected the family’s commitment to literature and respect for senior writers. “I am confident that now Kishwar Naheed, Fateh Muhammad Malik and Iftikhar Arif would no longer have an excuse to miss PAL activities,” she remarked humorously.
Mrs Qaisera Alvi said the idea of installing the elevator had originally been discussed with her late husband Abdul Hamid Alvi, who had approved the plan before passing away in June last year. She said their daughter, Dr Saira Alvi, along with other family members, carried forward the mission and completed it on the PAL’s 50th birthday.
Adding a personal touch to the occasion, she noted that her granddaughter Emaan also celebrated her birthday on May 19, which doubled the joy for the family and participants.
Remembering Abdul Hamid Alvi, Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik said it was at Alvi’s residence in Sector F-8/4 that he first met literary legends such as Intizar Hussain, Sufi Tabassum and Ashfaq Ahmed, an experience that shaped his literary journey.
He paid glowing tributes to Abdul Hamid Alvi, Prof Qaisera Alvi, Dr Saira Alvi and the entire family—Mudassar Alvi, Adnan Alvi and their children for continuing the tradition of literary gatherings and cultural hospitality associated with the Alvi household.
Acclaimed poet Iftikhar Arif also praised the late Alvi and Qaisera Alvi for creating an environment where young poets could learn from senior literary figures. He said the Alvi residence in Sector F-8/4 remained open to seekers of knowledge even today.
Veteran poet Kishwar Naheed shared memories of her interactions and friendly rivalries with Hamid Alvi over hosting literary guests. She also appreciated Dr Saira Alvi for regularly travelling from the United States to care for her ailing father and for preserving his literary legacy after his death.
Writers Muhammad Hamid Shahid and Inamul Haq Javed also recalled the literary gatherings hosted by Abdul Hamid Alvi and described them as intellectually enriching occasions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Saira Alvi said her father taught her how to appreciate literature, respect writers and guests, honour commitments and meet deadlines. “The installation of this elevator was also his commitment, and today we are proud to fulfil it,” she said.
Former senator Farhatullah Babar, Mehboob Zafar, Dr Farooq Adil and several other senior writers and poets also paid tribute to Abdul Hamid Alvi and congratulated Qaisera Alvi and Dr Saira Alvi for carrying forward his enduring literary legacy.
