QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said that writers, poets and intellectuals have always played a vital role in eliminating extremism from society.

He said that as the nation was facing the challenge of extremism, the situation required the writers and poets to intensify their efforts to promote social harmony and human values.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day national conference on promotion of literature of regional languages here on Saturday.

The conference has been organised by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) and is being attended by leading writers, poets, intellectuals and literary personalities from the four provinces.

The chief minister urged the writers to use their pen against extremism and terrorism.

He urged Baloch writers to translate literary works of other languages into Balochi language and said his government would continue to extend financial assistance for literary activities.

PAL chairman Dr Mohammad Qasim Bughio said the academy was promoting literature of regional languages, including Balochi, Pashto and Brahvi.

“Our society needs pens and not guns,” he said.

Saleem Raz, a progressive writer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said: “We will have to support democracy which will root out the causes of terrorism and extremism.”

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2015

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