ISLAMABAD- The name of Fakhar Zaman, a literary figure and leader of the ruling PPP, has been finalised for the slot of chairmanship of Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) and a notification in this regard is likely to be issued today (Tuesday). Soon after the acceptance of Iftikhar Arif's resignation, the prominent Punjabi novelist and leader of Pakistan People's Party Fakhar Zaman has been nominated as the new Chairman of PAL. In recent past the outgoing chairman of PAL Iftikhar Arif has resigned from his post and his resignation was accepted on October 22. It was learnt that rumours regarding appointment of new PAL chairman have been circulating within the ruling party for the last few weeks. While requesting not to be named, official source informed that after the recent campaign by a section within the party, finally Iftikhar Arif submitted his resignation. "Ruling party had wanted to replace Iftikhar Arif with another literary figure hailing from the party and three names were under consideration for the post of PAL Chairmanship, but name of Fakhar Zaman was finalised for the slot," he explained. He further described that name of Fakhar Zaman; Aslam Gurdas Puri, Poet, Writer and worker of PPP and Dr Anwar Hussain, writer and a head of Urdu Department in Faisalabad University were being considered for the post. It was learnt that outgoing chairman of PAL Iftikhar Arif has joined Lams University, Lahore. Fakhar Zaman has already performed his duties as a chairman of Pakistan Academy of Letters. He had formulated culture policy in 1995. He has been awarded the 'Hilal-e-Imtiaz', the highest Pakistani literary award, for his unparalleled contribution to Punjabi literature and culture. He has received the highest award ever for a Pakistani, for Punjabi language and literature, the 'Shiramani Sahitya Award' by the Indian government for being the best Punjabi novelist of the 20th century.