LAHORE: The Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (Pilac) is planning to publish researchbooksthisyear.

According to Pilac Director Dr Asim Chaudhry, the works that are likely to be published include a comprehensive research work on Punjabi poet Ahmad Rahi, a collection of Punjabi folk stories collected from the Sandal Bar, a compilation of the complete verse of Saein Azad Malang whose two bool(s Soz-i-Azad and Zarb-i-Qalandar were published a century ago, a research on noted Punjabi poet, writer and lexicographer Tanvir Bukhari and a compilation of the worl( of short story writer Sanawar Chaddar.

Mr Chaudhry said Pilac would also publish the second edition of its publications, namely Qissa Heer Waris Shah, Urdu translation by Aseer Abid, Geetan Di Goonj, a research work on Pakistani Punjabi film songs carried out by Akhlag Atif, Safarul IshqSaiful Malook of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, Punjabi Kitabiat, the bibliography of Punjabi published books compiled by Dr Shahbaz Malik, DesDian Waran, a collection of Punjabi epics compiled by Dr Saeed Khawar Bhutta, Hayatul Mahboob of Khawaja Ghulam Farid and Akhan Lok Sianey, a dictionary of Punjabi proverbs in five volumes, compiled by Ehsan Bajwa. He said these books remained the bestsellers during the previous years and their stock ended that`s why Pilac would publish their second editions.

Asim Chaudhry said the second edition of another bestselling book of Pilac, `Our Legendary Intellectuals,` had already been published in the previous years.

The book has selected verse of Punjabi classical poets with readable text in Roman, English translations and explanations.

According to him, Pilac has launched some other development initiatives to provide facilities to the visitors and the initiatives include opening of a new entrance at the main Ferozepur Road along with a reception and waiting area equipped with walk-through gates and security cameras.

The construction of a mosque has been started to facilitate the visitors to offer their prayers during different events and festivals. The roof of the entire Punjabi Complex is being treated to make it seepage-free during the rainy season.

`Punjab Rung` radio is being overhauled to make its transmission clearer and presentable.