ISLAMABAD, Feb 8: Federal Minister for Education Lt-Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf Qazi has said the culture of tolerance and enlightened moderation which President Gen Pervez Musharraf is trying to promote , will help the country keep pace with the fast changing world.

The minister was speaking as chief guest at a ceremony held to distribute awards among literary figures, including writers and poets, at the National Library on Tuesday. A seminar on "The role of literature in a changing world" was held on the occasion.

Prominent poet Ahmed Fraz received Kamal-i-Fun award for performing outstanding literary services. He was also given Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal award.

The award for Mumtaz Mufti was received by his son and Lok Virsa Director-General Aksi Mufti. Mufti Mumtaz was given Maulvi Abdul Haq award for best Urdu prose.

The other award winners included Dr Tariq Rehman in the category of English prose; Dr Tauseef Tabbasum, Urdu verse; Masood Mufti, Urdu prose; Munsha Yaad, Punjabi prose; Wahid Buzdar, Balochi literature; Prof Nazir Siddiqui, Urdu prose; Jamil Malik, Punjabi literature; Syed Zamir Jafri, Urdu Nazm; Zia Jallundhri, Urdu Nazm; and Ayaz Daudzai, Pushtu literature. Anwar Masud was given Waris Shah award for best Punjabi poetry.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said: "We as Pakistanis have had a direct experience of writers' role in shaping our destiny." He said it was Allama Iqbal's vision and influence of the teachings of men like Sir Syed, Hali, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan and Hasrat Mohani which led to the creation of Pakistan under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam. "And even today, we see them influencing our lives," he said, adding that the writers and scholars who came after them had helped change our perceptions about life in a positive way.

"Pakistani culture has been responsive to the influence that we are receiving from outside. We can see that in the change of life style of our young people.

What is needed is a change in the dynamics of our thought process to keep ourselves attuned to the changing world," the minister said, adding that the challenges of modern life demanded a paradigm shift.

He said stress on acquisition of scientific and technological knowledge must be greater though not at the cost of fine arts and literature. He stressed the need for balance to be incorporated in a sound concept of progress. "This will give us that soft image that we need to project to highlight our national identity."

The minister said a very transparent system of granting awards to writers was in place, recognizing meritorious performances not only in Urdu but in other regional languages as well. He said the education ministry would facilitate holding of writers conference, inviting young as well as senior writers, poets and scholars.

The seminar was attended by a number of leading writers.