PESHAWAR: About 2,000 new Pashto titles were published in the year 2014, according to booksellers. Most of the writers of these books focus on issues related to militancy, sufferings of people and restoration of lasting peace in the region.

The unusual trend noticed in 2014 was publication of equal number of books in prose unlike the previous years. However, the trend of self-publication continues as usual. Pervaiz Shiekh, a retired schoolteacher and prolific fiction writer, brought out four novels in Pashto.

However, Pashto Academy, University of Peshawar, could not bring out a single title owing to budget constraints. Four important manuscripts are still lying in the press. Also, its regular literary-cum-research magazine ‘Pukhto’ could not see light of the day for the last eight months after retirement of its director.

An official at the Pashto Academy told this scribe that the academy not was suffering from any financial crunch. ‘Pukhto’ magazine would be re-launched and new titles too would be published once a new director assumed charge in January, he added.

Most of the writers of about 2,000 books published in 2014 focus on issues related to militancy and sufferings of people

Mohib Wazir’s ‘Effects of 9/11 on Pashto fiction’ hit bookstands while Dr Zubair Hasrat’s title ‘Tamashay’ published in 2014 carries contents of 12 Pashto plays staged from 1930 to 1970. The memorable Pashto play ‘Karwan’ was staged in August 1957 in Peshawar at Shahi Bagh on the occasion of centennial celebrations of 1857 war of independence. Abdul Akbar Khan Akbar, old student of Islamia College, Peshawar had written script while late national leader and poet Ajmal Khattak had directed the play. Living octogenarian Pashto writer Hamesh Khalil had acted as journalist in the stage play.

Pashto books published in Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi and Afghanistan reinforced issues relating to terrorism, bloodshed and unspeakable sufferings of Pakhtuns. Not a single Pashto poet or writer has glorified jihadi culture in his writings as some Afghan poets did in early 80s.

Pashto poets and writers have openly condemned militant activities in the country in general and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata in particular. About 12 titles of Pashto fiction have focused on various aspects of the ongoing militancy.

Experts say that for the first time Pakhtun poets on both sides of the Durand Line seem to be on one page when it comes to give vent to current geo-political situation around them.

“Today Pakhtun poets and writers are more aware and educated compared to yesterday. They are fulfilling their responsibilities by using power of their pen. They are giving due place to sufferings of people,” says Dr Zubair Hasrat, director of Pakhtunkhwa Study Centre, Bacha Khan University. He says that poets and writers are emphasising need for everlasting peace in the region. “Resistance literature is once again fast prevailing as it was in pre-partition era and in 80s during Zia martial law,” he adds.

Most researchers have written books on history, culture and arts of Pakhtuns. Titles researching Pashto folk stories, proverbs and idioms have also been published. The basic aim of these books is to trace elements of peace and tolerance that used to be the hallmarks of a typical Pakhtun society.

Some books are based on the identity quest yet some others promote the idea of permanent peace explaining that Pakhtuns had been living along with Hindus, Sikhs and Christians for centuries.

Pakhtunkhwa Study Centre brought out four books including one in English ‘Ghani Khan: The renaissance man’ to coincide with centennial celebrations of the late poet.

The workers at two publishing houses -- University Books Agency and Danish Kutabkhana -- in Peshawar say that Pashto prose has improved. “Among 2,200 new Pashto titles appeared in 2014, half of them ran in prose. It is against our expectations because writing fiction, compiling research or prose is not everybody’s cup of tea. This is quite an unusual but pleasurable change,” a senior bookseller says.

However, not a single woman poet brought out her poetry collection in 2014. Last year, four women poets had published their poetry volumes.

“I don’t see any particular reason for this. My poetry collection is going to be published in January next year. I have focused on issues related to Pakhtun women,” says Naureen Shama, a young poet. Despite poor readership and slump market trend, Pashto poets and writers continue publishing their books without government support. They are educating public on various issues and also provide creative thoughts. Prof Abaseen Yousafzai, chairman of department of Pashto, Islamia College University says that 9/11 has impacted every aspect of life including Pashto literature. “Hearts and minds find befitting expressions in Pashto literature,” he adds.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2014