T is heartwarming to note that PortuguesePakistani cultural relations have advanced greatly over the past two years. We have had the honour of hosting renowned Portuguese writers like José Peixoto and Teresa Nicolau, and the Brazilian Guiomar de Grammont, in Pakistan.

Peixoto and Nicolau participated in theLahore Literary Festival and interacted with Pakistani academics and writers in smaller settings as well.

As writers carry considerable influence through the written word, these interactionsbring our people together.

A translation of Peixoto`s work has been published in Urdu, providing Pakist ani readers with a new perspective on Portuguese culture. My sincere congratulations go out to the Portuguese people on their National Day, as well as to H.E.

Frederico da Silva for his outstanding contribution to culture.

It is my sincere hope that more contemporary cultural aspects of both nations will be celebrated in two countries. •