MANSEHRA: The participants of a Hindko literary and cultural conference here on Saturday demanded of the government to set up a department for Hindko studies in the University of Hazara.

The demand was made though a resolution passed at the conference. The Peshawar-based literary and cultural organisation, Gandhara Hindko Board, and Gandhara Hindko Academy, jointly arranged the moot.

The participants included writers, poets and researchers from Hazara, Peshawar, Islamabad and Azad Kashmir.

A noted Hindko writer and general secretary of Gandhara Hindko Board, Mohammad Ziauddin, was the event coordinator.

Papers were read out to highlight the importance of Hindko language and culture. There was a special focus on the literature and culture of the Hazara division.

A US-based writer and the first vice-chancellor of Hazara University, Prof Ashraf Adeel, attended the conference through video link.

Speaking as a chief guest, Hazara University Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Idrees said all languages were an asset to the humanity and deserved attention.

He praised the efforts being made for promotion of Hindko which was second largely spoken language of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He assured all assistance to Gandhara Hindko Board and Gandhara Hindko Academy in their literary and cultural pursuits.

A trilingual poetry session was another segment of the conference which was attended by Hindko, Kohistani and Gojri poets.

Published in Dawn October 2nd, 2016