Section 12 of the Pakistan Academy of Letters Act, 2013, dilating upon powers and functions of the Academy has stipulated the aims and objectives of the Academy as follows:
(a) administer and coordinate all government systems for promotion of Pakistani languages, literature and welfare of writers’ community in the country;
(b) advise the Federal Government on policy relating to promotion of Pakistani languages, literature and welfare of writers’ community in the country;
(c) determine research priorities in the field of language or literature and to undertake research projects;
(d) evaluate the performance of the various learned bodies and institutions dealing with literature and literary activities and to scrutinize and assess their new projects and to release grants to them;
(e) set up a bureau of translation for translation of selected works from and into national and the regional languages with a view to promote greater cohesion and intellectual understanding among the people of different regions of the country;
(f) promote and supervise the production of standard works of reference e.g. dictionaries, encyclopedias etc., in the national and regional languages;
(g) establish a language laboratory, a language library and a documentation center to facilitate work on the national and regional languages in consonance with the ideology of Pakistan;
(h) undertake or recommend suitable measures for promotion of creative writing in the national and regional languages in consonance with the ideology of Pakistan;
(i) undertake or recommend suitable measures for the introduction of Pakistani literature to the foreign readers;
(j) produce literary periodicals in Urdu, English and other Pakistani languages;
(k) provide an authoritative body of consultants for all matters relating to language, literature and letters;
(l) nominate or recommend recipients for various literary awards and distinctions;
(m) represent or advise the Federal Government on international gatherings relating to language, literature and letters;
(n) extend national recognition to eminent personalities for their services to Pakistani languages, literature and letters and to undertake publication of research work of national importance done by them;
(o) render monetary assistance to indigent writers and to safeguard the interests of writers;
(p) provide for printing and publication of literary works;
(q) recommend measures for the promotion of printing and publishing industry in the country;
(r) create various posts and to appoint persons thereto;
(s) govern and regulate the finances, accounts and investments of the Academy;
(t) liaise and interact with sister organizations in other countries for capacity building and exchange of information;
(u) engage in human resource development of its officers and staff;
(v) carry-out such works or activities as may be deemed necessary with a view to making the best use of its assets;
(w) co-ordinate the implementation of foreign-aided technical assistance projects on languages or literatures;
(x) coordinate through the relevant ministry in the projects of international technical assistance related to language and literature; and
(y) perform and carry out any other activity or function relating to promotion of Pakistani languages, literature and welfare of writers.