From a bold literary prize launched in 1967 to Pakistan's most prestigious multi-disciplinary cultural platform, the journey of ULA mirrors the journey of Pakistan's creative spirit itself.
ULA exists to recognise, celebrate and amplify the writers, artists, poets, musicians and cultural practitioners whose work defines the creative identity of Pakistan. We believe that a nation's culture is its most enduring legacy.
The programme operates across all major literary languages of Pakistan — Urdu, English, Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto, and Balochi — and across disciplines that include fiction, non-fiction, drama, songwriting, and visual arts.
ULA is not merely an awards ceremony. It is a year-round cultural platform: a living archive of Pakistan's creative achievement, an editorial journal, a community of practitioners, and a gateway to opportunities.
The history of this award is the history of Pakistan's cultural ambition — interrupted, but never extinguished.
Originally launched as the 'UBL Literary Excellence Award', the programme was established to recognise exceptional contributions to Urdu and Pakistani literature. It was among the first corporate-sponsored literary prizes in Pakistan, reflecting an early vision of culture as integral to national life.
Following the nationalisation of Pakistani banks in the mid-1970s, the programme was discontinued along with many private cultural initiatives of the era. The vision, however, was not forgotten.
On the occasion of UBL's Golden Jubilee, the award was reinstated as a cornerstone of a renewed commitment to cultural sustainability. Reimagined for a new era, the UBL Literary Excellence Awards returned with expanded scope, a distinguished jury, and a clear ambition to build Pakistan's most credible literary prize.
By the 10th edition, the programme had grown beyond literature. Recognising that Pakistan's cultural vitality extends to the visual arts, songwriting, and drama writing, the awards formally expanded their scope. The programme was reborn as the UBL Literature & Arts Awards — broader, bolder, and more representative of Pakistan's full creative range.
The 11th edition recognised excellence across Urdu fiction, Urdu non-fiction, English literature, Pakistani languages, online literature, world literature, drama script, and a coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. Hundreds of nominations were received from across Pakistan, judged by a distinguished panel of academics, authors, and critics.
For the first time, the ULA — Pakistan Literature & Arts Awards — launches a dedicated standalone digital presence: a year-round cultural platform for nominations, winners, editorial storytelling, events, and opportunities. The 12th edition opens nominations in July 2026, with the award ceremony planned for December.
We hold the work of literature and art to the highest standard. Our jury process is rigorous, independent, and guided by critical integrity above all else.
Pakistani culture is multilingual, multi-regional, and pluralist. ULA honours work in every language of Pakistan and resists the narrow definition of what Pakistani literature and art can be.
The jury process operates independently of the programme's supporters. Creative and critical judgement is never subject to institutional or commercial influence.
The ULA — Pakistan Literature & Arts Awards is made possible through the support of UBL, one of Pakistan's largest commercial banks, which has been committed to cultural sustainability as part of its social responsibility agenda since 2009.
UBL's support enables the independence, reach, and ambition of this programme. The awards process, jury selection, and all editorial content operate independently of the supporting institution.