ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: Speakers at a seminar here on Thursday said that Pakhtun culture had undergone tremendous changes, manifested in folklore, art and literature, over the past one decade.

The seminar titled “Extremism and radicalisation in Fata: impacts on culture” was organised by Fata Research Centre (FRC).

Participants appreciated the role of Pakhtun poets and writers, saying that they were raising their voices against violence and supporting peace. “Our poets condemn drone attacks as well as suicide bombings because innocent people are being killed in such acts of violence,” said Prof Hanif Khalil.

For restoration of peace in the region, Prof Khalil suggested, Pakhtuns should advise their new generation to get modern education and excel in science and technology, instead of glorifying the adventures of their “warrior” forefathers. He said that their heroes might be villains, for others.

“It is time to change the cliché that Pakhtun is a martial nation,” Mr Khalil said. He added that Pakhtun poets and writers wanted to convey a message of peace to the nation through their writings.  He presented couplets of various poets to supplement his arguments.

Speaking on the occasion, FRC president Dr Ashraf Ali said that the consequences of 9/11 affected the entire world but Pakhtuns were the worst hit. “This war has affected every sphere of life of Pakhtuns, including their politics, economy, culture and literature,” he said.

Ashraf Ali added that more than 2,000 tribal elders were killed in Fata during the last one decade. The assassinations of tribal elders affected the mechanism of Jirga and created a judicial vacuum in Fata that was filled by militants, he said.

“It is a matter of great concern that the communication gap between tribal society and the state was widening with each passing day,” Mr Ali said, adding that international conspiracies were being hatched to isolate Pakistan.

“Apart from the debate that either it is our own war or we are fighting a war of others, it is a fact that it is being fought on our soil,” he said. Ali added that Pakhtuns experienced the largest displacement of human history owing to the war against terrorism.

Akbar Sial, the general secretary of Pakhtun Cultural Association, said that rulers on both sides of the Durand Line had exploited the people of Fata for their interests. He said that women were allowed in Fata to go to the mountains to collect firewood and take part in agricultural activities, however, they were not allowed to attend school.

He said that in the past Fata had a model Pakhtun society that was secured from the affects of Afghanistan and Pakistan. There were arm manufacturing factories in Fata but despite that there had been peace in the past, he added. “The problem begins when arms fall in the hands of cowards as possession of weapons turns such people into fascists,” he said.

Mr Sial said that Pakhtuns should live in peace and avoid wars. “They have fought so many wars that their war quota has been exhausted,” he said. He hoped that dialogue could bring peace to the war-torn region.

Arshad Hussain, TV artist and cultural activist, showed the plight of Pakhtun singers and performers through a detailed presentation. He said that he was kidnapped by the Taliban in 2008 and was freed after paying a hefty amount as ransom.

“They kidnapped me because they thought that my profession was un-Islamic. However, the incident turned me into a cultural activist,” he said. He added that he lost his job after the kidnapping incident as his seniors considered him a security risk for his colleagues.

Mirza Mohammad Jihadi, adviser to the president, who was scheduled to address the seminar as chief guest did not turn up owing to reasons best known to him, though the organisers were expecting him till the last minute.