Zubair Qureshi | Kashmir Pen
Srinagar, January 11: 355th session of the Fiction Writers’ Guild was held on 10 January 2026 at the Guild’s City Office, Hira Manzil, Central Market, Abi Guzar, Lal Chowk, Srinagar. The session brought together writers, scholars, and students in a vibrant celebration of contemporary fiction.
Presiding over the session, Mr. Ijaz-ul-Haq, noted writer, academic, and producer associated with the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), University of Kashmir, stressed the urgent need to revive and strengthen book reading and book review culture. He emphasized that platforms like the Fiction Writers’ Guild can play a decisive role in promoting serious literary discourse.
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Sheikh Ijaz Ahmad, head of Gulshan Publications, remarked that the time has come for writers to produce at least one short story every year that can be presented at the international level, reflecting both artistic excellence and global relevance.
The session featured the reading of two short stories.
An English short story was presented by Tarreef Naz, an eminent English novelist, while Mr. Javid Iqbal, Editor of Sheeraza and associated with the Kashmiri Department of the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, read out a Kashmiri short story titled “Aadlach Dastaan.”
Both stories were followed by thoughtful and engaging discussions on their thematic depth and artistic merit.
The proceedings were gracefully conducted by poet and writer Ms. Hina Khan, while the welcome address was delivered by the Guild’s General Secretary Mr. Nasir Zameer.
The session was attended and enriched by writers, scholars, and literary enthusiasts, including
Dr. Muzammil Karim Masood Shadab Hafizullah Nasir Sheikh Sufi Bashir Bashar Ghulam Nabi Shahid G. M. Bhat Jahangir Ayaz Hali Tasneem Akhtar Majeed Majazi Dr. Zameer Ahmad Sameer Magray
Dr. Shehzada Saleem Badr-un-Nisa Bhat Bazila Muneer Suhail Salim, and Sheikh Aman. Students who participated in the session included: Rutba Nisar Muntaha Masoodi Shafia Masoodi Aiman Khan Babra Shafiqi Yasir Jalal Saqib Shaban, and Adnan Ahmad Khan.
The session concluded with a formal vote of thanks extended by the Fiction Writers’ Guild to the President of the session, the Guest of Honour, all participants, and students.
