The 12th Annual Punjabi Awards Ceremony

A grand and intellectually vibrant literary gathering, the 12th Annual “Dil Darya Pakistan Punjabi Award gathering,” was organised by Dil Darya Pakistan Registered on May 13, 2026, at Punjab Council of the Arts, Rawalpindi. The prestigious event brought together writers, poets, scholars, researchers, artists, and admirers of Punjabi language and culture from across the country.

The literary celebration was conducted in three segments. The opening session featured a Punjabi Conference presided over by noted scholar and intellectual Professor Syed Nusrat Bukhari. Discussions revolved around the contemporary status of the Punjabi language, the promotion of mother tongues, emerging literary trends among younger generations, and the preservation of cultural identity.

Speakers included Dr. Baqar Wasim, Qayyum Tahir, Dr. Mehnaz Anjum, Saad Punjabi, and Sajjad Azhar, while the stage proceedings were conducted by renowned educationist and intellectual Professor Idrees Cheema. The speakers emphasized that Punjabi is not merely a medium of expression but a vital component of the region’s civilizational and cultural identity, requiring collective efforts from literary organizations, educational institutions, and writers for its preservation and promotion.

The second segment of the ceremony was dedicated to literary awards honoring outstanding Punjabi books published during 2025.

In the category of Punjabi Ghazal, Hakeem Arshad Shahzad received the First Punjabi Ghazal Award for Dardan Naal Bhyaali. The Second Punjabi Ghazal Award was jointly conferred upon Sabar Sodai for Soolan Waat Sareer and Dr. Shahid Razzaq for Chher Dilan Da Iktara. Chaudhry Afzal Gill received the Third Punjabi Ghazal Award for Akalapa Tay Main, while the Fourth Punjabi Ghazal Award was shared by Amjad Arifi for Na Kar Ariya and Liaqat Gudgor for Ganjhlan. The Fifth Punjabi Ghazal Award was presented to Basheer Nadeem for Ulli Lagiyan Sudhran.

In Punjabi poetry, Zafar Awan won the First Punjabi Nazm Award for Pehli Peer, while Talha Bin Sohail received the Second Award for Nazm Daware, and Ismaar Shirazi was honored with the Third Punjabi Nazm Award for Hond Di Khushboo. The Punjabi Dohra Award was presented to Sajjad Kundrana for Adhi Hanj.

In the field of devotional literature, Khan Muneer Ahmad Khawar received the First Punjabi Naat Award for Noori Akhar Naataan Day, while Abrar Shakir earned the Second Award for Noor Ni Nagri. The Third Punjabi Naat Award was jointly awarded to Liaqat Gudgor for Haazri and Sufi Muhammad Afzal Qadri for Ishq-e-Mairaj-e-Mustafa. The Punjabi Manqabat Award went to Basheer Malang for Paakan Di Shan.

Professor Dr. Fakhra Shuja received the First Punjabi Seerat Nigari Award for her book Seerat-e-Rasool ﷺ. In Punjabi research and criticism, Mian Zafar Maqbool won the First Award for Karyal Kalan, Samarina Gulzar received the Second Award for Sanawar Chadhr, and Iftikhar Warraich Kalrowi secured the Third Award for Des Mera Ji Daaran Da.

The Punjabi Translation Award was presented to Musarrat Shireen for Inn Sunriyan Kookan. In addition, honorary shields were awarded to several distinguished literary figures for their contributions to Punjabi literature and culture.

In Punjabi fiction, Javed Punchhi received the First Punjabi Story Award for Bhoyein Panji Killay. The Second Award was jointly conferred upon Najam Rizvi for 22 Minute 22 Rupay and Sohail Safdar for Kookdiyan Nazm Kahaniyan, while Muhammad Muneer Sherwani won the Third Punjabi Story Award for Titliyan Day Hadsay.

The ceremony also recognized individuals for their invaluable services toward Punjabi language and culture through the “Punjabi Sewak Awards.” Recipients included Rai Faizan Khizar for social media promotion, Mohsin Machhiana for Punjabi culture, Afzal Zahir Wazirabadi for Punjabi journalism, Punjab Waseeb for organizational services, Riffat Waheed for Punjabi poetry, Saira Begum for performing arts, Mirza Ali Punjabi for activism, and Raja Mukhtar Ahmad Saghrovi for Punjabi poetry.

The “Tanzeemi Sewak Award” was presented to Shahzad Hussain Bhatti in recognition of his organizational services to Punjabi language and literature. Additional honors were conferred upon Mubina Akbar, Nazar Abbas, and Gulfam Naqvi for their contributions.

The concluding segment featured the All Punjab Punjabi Mushaira, presided over by eminent poet Ahsan Elahi Ahsan, while the proceedings were hosted by Zaheer Badr. Poets from across Punjab presented their verses, exploring themes of love, land, culture, human emotions, and social realities. The audience responded enthusiastically, creating a deeply engaging literary atmosphere.

At the conclusion of the event, Patron-in-Chief of Dil Darya Pakistan Registered, Professor Dr. Aamir Zaheer Bhatti, thanked the guests, writers, poets, and organizers for their participation. He remarked that such literary initiatives are essential for the preservation and promotion of mother languages and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to serving Punjabi language and literature in the years ahead.