GHALANAI: The participants of a literary session here on Thursday demanded of the government to publish books of tribal writers and poets.

The session was arranged by Mohmand Adabi Tolana, a literary organisation working for promotion of literature in Mohmand Agency. Local poet Mobariz Momand chaired the session.

On the occasion, senior and young poets presented their poems and entertained the participants.

The session was also attended by local writers Khyal Momand, Mohib Ali Mohib, Haramullah Haram, Sohail Ahmad Shoger, Zardol Babo, Asif Khan and Liaquat Ali Liaquat.

The participants of the session passed a resolution unanimously to condemn war and ‘genocide’ of Pakhtuns in the area. They said that they wanted durable peace in Pakhtun belt.

Momand Adbai Tolana president Hairan Momand said that government should publish books of tribal writers to encourage them.

“The government should support writers to promote cultural and literary activities,” he added.

Mr Momand said that Fata Secretariat should award monthly stipends to tribal writers and poets.

POWER OUTAGES: The local residents have expressed concerns over excessive power loadshedding in the area.

Talking to local journalists, PTI leader Sajjad Khan Mohmand, PML-N leader Malik Nisar Ahmad Haleemzai and Malik Gul Shah said that residents of Haleemzai, Lakaro, Mamad Gat, Qandharai, Chenanri and Gurbaz were facing great hardships owing to excessive power outages.

“There is 22-hour loadshedding everyday in our areas,” said Nisar Ahmad. He said that they got electricity only for two hours.

Sajjad Mohmand said that they faced shortage drinking water owing to power outages. Tribal people were compelled to buy water from private tankers, he added.

They said that government should remove all electricity lines and power pylons from the area if it couldn’t end loadshedding.

They said that authorities should arrange solar panels for all the houses in the area if it couldn’t ensure smooth supply of electricity to the area.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2016