MINGORA: A large number of people attended the spring Mushaira (poetry session) in Shamozai area here on Sunday.

The poets and writers shed light on different colours of spring and received applause from the audience. Senior Pashto poets Abasin Yousafzai, Iqbal Shakir, Zafar Khan Zafar, Hanif Qais, Shamsul Iqbal Shams and many others presented their poems on the occasion. The poetry session was organised by Ghorzang Adabi Tolana Shamozai.

Hayat Khan, a member of the organising team, said that the spring poetry session was held every year to welcome the colourful season and promote peace, culture and tradition of Pakhtuns.

Abaseen Yousafzai appreciated the local literary organisation for holding the event and inviting poets and writers from across the province. “It is high time to demand of the government to declare Pashto a compulsory subject not only at primary level but at intermediate level. Our media must be in Pashto and also the judiciary so that our children can learn about our rich history and cultural heritage,” he said.

Mr Yousafzai said that the nations, which didn’t record their history, culture and literature in their own languages, were considered incomplete. He read some poems from his newly published book ‘Maram’ and received applause from the audience.

Iqbal Shakir, another renowned poet, also lauded the effort of the organisers to invite such a large number of poets to the event. “The large number of participants at the event shows that they love Pakhtunwali and literature,” said.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Nawaz asked all Pakhtuns to stand united and work for the promotion of Pakhtunwali.

A resolution was also passed on the occasion to demand of the government to declare Pashto a compulsory subject from primary to intermediate level and also make it official and educational language in the province.

Prof Khurshaid Ali, the chief guest of the event, said that writers, poets and scholars were the mind and wisdom of society. “The gathering of literary people here is a symbol of unity and peace,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2016