Special Award Committee unanimously selected seven books written on Madar-e-Millat last year, for awarding first, second and third prizes.
The committee was set up in connection with the celebrations of 2003 declared as year of Madar-e-Millat by the Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali in acknowledgement of her meritorious services rendered for the country and democracy.
According to a statement issued here on Saturday, books getting first position in the contest are, 'Madar-e-Millat, Sarmaya-e-Millat' written by Sharif Farooq, 'Madar-e-Millat, Mohsina-e-Millat' by Shahid Rashid and 'Yadon Ki Kehkashan' by Surayya Khursheed.
Books nominated for second prize are, 'Jamhuriat, Aamriyat Aur Madar-e- Millat' by Wakeel Anjum and 'Madar-e-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Hayat-o-Fikr' by Shakir Husain Shakir.
Third prize was shared by two books namely, 'Madar-e-Millat, Aabroo-e-Millat' by Rafiq Alam and 'Madar-e-Millat, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah' (English) by Asif Jah Jafri.
The amount of money allocated for the first award has been enhanced to Rs 600,000 to be equally distributed among the three writers i.e. Rs 200,000 each, Rs 300,000 allocated for the second award will be equally distributed among the two award winners, ie Rs 150,000 each and Rs 200,000 will go to the two third prize winners ie Rs 100,000 each.
In addition, two regional language books were selected for a special prize of Rs 25,000 each.
These books are 'Fatima Jinnah' (Brahvi language) by Salahuddin Mengal and 'Madar-e-Millat te Azadi-e-Sahafat' (Punjabi language) by Khalid Kashmiri.
Rs 25,000] were approved for Dr Agha Hassan Hamdani's book, 'Fatima Jinnah, Hayat-o-Khidmat' credited as the best source book so far written on Madar-e-Millat. The award money would go to his widow.
DFP's photo album was also appreciated as a useful contribution and Es 25,000 were also announced for it.
The Committee also appreciated DFP's booklet 'A Tribute to Madar-e-Millat' and decided to give appreciation letters/certificates of appreciation to both publications.
Rs 50,000 were also approved for the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research in acknowledgement of its contribution by publishing five books on different aspects of Madar-e-Millat's life.
The Committee approved a special prize of Rs 5,000 each as well as letters of appreciation for all the 45 books sent in for the competition in acknowledgement of the writers' dedication and hard work.
The award giving ceremony would be held under the auspices of the Madar-i-Millat Committee at a date and venue to be announced later.