PESHAWAR: Pohantoon Adabi Stori (PAS) comprising young poets and writers held its weekly literary critical appreciation session at the Faqir of Ipi Park, University of Peshawar, on Friday.

Asfar Afghan, a young poet from Shangla, presided over the session while noted poet and critic Abaseen Yousafzai conducted the function.

Mobeen Ihsas Afridi, a young poet from Bara, Khyber Agency, presented his poetic piece (ghazal) for critical appreciation.

The participants critically evaluated and mentioned the merits and demerits of the literary piece.

This was followed by a Pashto ‘mushaira’ in which Shahid Ali Shahid, Sikandar Khan Hayat, Rashid Khan Rashid, Fitrat Buneri, Shoaib Khan, Wisal Khattak, Talash Afridi, Asghar Ali Shabnam , Saeed Anwar Azad, Ameenullah, Yasir Bacha, Ayanullah Ajiz, Sirajul Haq, Qari Atiq Jan, Mohammad Khan Naseeb, Nadeem Khattak, Mohammad Shahid Taheri, Mullah Jan Mansha, Akhtar Nagiyal, Sajjad Ihsas, Hikmatullah, Sawar Shah Benawa and Shakil Hazrat recited their poetic pieces.

A local poet, Azeem Shah Azeem, said that Pashto language needed experts on prose and fiction more than just poets.

“I remember last year Sajjad Juandoon presented a beautiful pen-portrait titled ‘Full Professor’ which was a good beginning,” he observed.

Abaseen Yousafzai told Dawn that young poets and writers needing literary grooming had no proper place for literary debate anywhere on the campus.

He said that with the help of his colleagues he founded PAS last year to provide young literati with a platform where they could openly speak out their hearts and minds.

“Such productive sessions for grooming young people will inculcate a sense of confidence among them and inspire them to float creative ideas,” Mr Yousafzai argued.

PAS was formed a year ago to groom the budding Pashto poets and writers studying in different departments of Islamia College Peshawar and UoP.

The number of its members has swelled from just a few at its launch to 60 as the association would celebrate its founding day on coming Friday.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2014