PESHAWAR, Aug 15: A Hindko Mushaira was held in the lawns of Gor Gathri here on Monday to mark the country’s 59th Independence Day anniversary. The Mushaira was arranged by Gandhara Hindko Board, a literary, cultural and social welfare organisation.

About 40 Hindko poets from different parts of the province, including Peshawar, Akora Khattak, Kohat and Hazara paid, rich tributes to the Independence Movement leaders and workers.

General Secretary of the Gandhara Hindko Board Mohammad Ziauddin and Ahmad Nadeem Awan compered the programme attended by a large number of people.

Addressing on the occasion, District Nazim Ali saluted the Independence Movement leaders and workers and said: “It is because of their struggle that today we are living a free life. Freedom is a blessing and we should protect it at all costs,” said the young Ali.

“Hindko is an ancient and important language of the region that needs attention,” said. “The district government will take all steps for the preservation and promotion of Hindko language and for reviving the glory of Peshawar,” he pledged while handing a cheque of Rs100,000 to the Gandhara Hindko Board.

Assistant Professor Dr Adnan Gul and Mohammad Ziauddin, Vice-Chairman and General Secretary of Gandhara Hindko Board respectively, as well as Sharafat Ali Mubarak and Haider Zaman Haider also delivered brief speeches on the occasion.