PAL, PlanetPulse join hands to promote climate awareness through literature

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ISLAMABAD, Tuesday, July 8, 2025 (WNP): The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) and PlanetPulse have entered into a three-year strategic partnership aimed at raising climate awareness through literature, storytelling, and educational initiatives, blending environmental advocacy with the power of the written word.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally signed at the PAL office by Dr. Najeeba Arif, Chairperson of PAL, and Dr. Khalid Khan, Founder of PlanetPulse. The agreement seeks to embed climate narratives into Pakistan’s literary and cultural discourse, engaging writers, poets, educators, and youth in a nationwide movement for environmental consciousness.

As part of the collaboration, both organizations will support the creation of climate-focused literary content, co-host events such as poetry recitals (Mushairas), fellowships, storytelling workshops, and co-publish anthologies in Urdu and regional languages. A key highlight of the partnership is the establishment of a Climate Literature Archive—a multilingual digital repository documenting Pakistani literary contributions addressing environmental issues.

The MoU also outlines broader objectives, including public engagement campaigns, partnerships with academic institutions, and advocacy efforts to promote literature as a driver of sustainable change.

PlanetPulse will also organize a dedicated session on Climate Literature and Creative Writing during PAL’s upcoming Youth Literature Festival, scheduled for August 12–13, to engage young writers with the pressing challenges of climate change through literary expression.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Najeeba Arif described the collaboration as “a timely convergence of creativity and civic responsibility,” underlining literature’s transformative role in shaping public awareness. Dr. Khalid Khan emphasized the impact of storytelling in shifting climate discourse and inspiring grassroots action.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organizations, including PAL Director General Sultan Nasir, PAL Directors Asim Butt and Umama Khalid, Deputy Directors Mir Nawaz Solangi and Akhtar Raza Saleemi, and officers Rafiqa Nazli, Muhammad Sajid, and Junaid Khalid.

This groundbreaking initiative signals a significant step towards integrating environmental sustainability into Pakistan’s cultural and literary fabric.