PESHAWAR: Speakers at a function here on Saturday called upon young Pashto poets and writers to speak for the people in their pieces of writing.

They said writers should shape the people’s thoughts especially on the issues of modern times not only to stay relevant but also to contribute to the process of achieving national goals.

The function was organised in connection with the launch of a Pashto prose book titled ‘Dewaal Sara Khabare’ (talking to the wall) at the Maulana Abdul Qadir Hall of the Pashto Department of the University of Peshawar here.

Students, teachers and writers attended the event organised by the Pohantoon Adabi Stori, a literary organisation, in large numbers.

Senior Pashto poet Muntazir Baba was in the chair.

Muntazir Baba praised Germany-based journalist and poet Shaheen Buneri for writing a ‘worthwhile’ prose book in Pashto which he added was both meaningful and represented the voice of the people.

He said the young writer was quite successful in conveying his message to the readers.

“This is what exactly people generally think and are meant to say. I think this is a new style of expressing things which otherwise could not be said. Soliloquy or self–talk is an interesting way of expression. Shaheen Buneri has done complete justice by talking to the wall while implicitly addressing the audience across the wall,” he said.

Chief of Pohantoon Adabi Stori Professor Abaseen Yousafzai said the style of the writer was not new but the way of expression definitely was.

He said Shaheen Buneri’s prose carried a candid thought expressive of deep sense of loss of Pakhtun identity, peace of the region once the abode of Buddha and Gandhara glorious civilisations.

Mr. Yousafzai said the writer had pieced together separate incidents in variety of ways to convey his inner feelings on every minute incident.

“Shaheen Buneri though is basically a poet but he has made journalistic mode to effectively express his views on the current situation on Pakhtun soil. He has used simple language to electrify a common place incident for enthusing a spirit for action among the audience,” he said.

Mr. Yousafizai said young writers and poets were enriching Pashto language with their contributions.

Afsar Afghan, a young writer, said writing prose was difficult and even challenging if one was abroad. He said the book ‘Dewaal Sara Khabare’ was a invaluable addition to Pashto literature.

The writer said soon after publication, the book became a bestseller due to its unique style and fluent language.

He also read out a few short pieces from the book and received a round of applause from the audience.

“It is a blatant commentary on our current bizarre geopolitical situation. Young writers should come forward to adopt this way of expression. It is a mini-encyclopedia of what Pakhtuns have gone through and are still going through,” he said.

Mr. Afghan said the style of Shaheen Buneri’s prose was worthy of being appreciated first for being simple and second for its vision and clarity of purpose.

“Mr. Buneri’s book will prove a crash course for young members of Pashto literati,” he said.

Fitrat Buneri, Faiz Ali, Tariq Pakhtunnyar, Jalal Khalil, Shuakat and Hikmatyar Barki also spoke at the event.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2016