PESHAWAR: Speakers at an ‘Afghan International Cultural Day’ function on Saturday stressed the need for strong cultural relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan to help bring peace, progress and prosperity to the region.

The two-day event organised held under the auspices of Pak-Afghan People’s Forum ended in Nishtar Hall here.

Noted among speakers were adviser to the chief minister on culture Amjad Khan Afridi, head of Afghan Embassy’s cultural affairs wing Rehman Habibzai, ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Pakistan Academy of Letters director general Zahida Parveen and Pak-Afghan People’s Forum, Pakistan chapter chairman Alamzeb Khan.

The speakers urged Pakistani and Afghan governments to improve people-to-people contacts and said strong cultural relations could strengthen political, social and economic ties between the two neighbouring countries.

They said the people with similar cultural legacy couldn’t be divided on the basis of geographical boundaries.

Amjad Khan Afridi, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the provincial culture department was fully committed to reviving and preserving local culture.

He said the PTI government would extend full support to artists, poets, researchers and scholars to promote the true image of the militancy-hit region and its people.

Afghan diplomat Rehman Habibzai said Kabul and Islamabad should focus on strengthening cultural ties as it would promote people-to-people contacts and thus paving the way for peace and prosperity in the region.

“Both countries want peace and development for their people. Encouraging literary and cultural activities is the best way forward,” he said.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the last ANP government in the province had done a lot to alleviate the plight of artists. He appreciated the PTI government for supporting the Pak–Afghan People’s Forum in organising the event.

The ANP leader demanded end to visa restrictions between Pakistan and Afghanistan saying it will help bring the people on both sides of the border closer.

“I believe culture is the strongest weapon with which we can counter terrorism in all in its forms and manifestations. Hindko, Chitrali, Seraiki, and Hazara speaking communities are part of our collective Afghan culture. The Afghan Cultural Day should be officially marked,” he said.

Zahida Parveen said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was home to the great Gandhara civilisation and that leading literary and cultural figures of the subcontinent were born on Pakhtun land.

Alam Zeb Khan said the Afghan Cultural Day would be regularly celebrated every year on September 23. He said the Pak–Afghan People’s Forum was founded to bring closer the people from diverse cultures, especially Pashtuns living in Pakistan and Afghanistan, to promote peace and revive Pakhtun culture.

“Eliminating terrorism and sending out the message of peace, tolerance and mutual respect to the world is our sole aim,” he said.

Afghan delegate Nazakat said the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan could not be separated from each other. She said Pashtuns on both sides shared pains and sufferings and that they would live and die together.

“We are culturally so strong that we shall never surrender to negative forces. We should unite for achieving our positive goals. We can make this world a better place to live,” she said.

During the event, Afghan delegates, including Professor Ghous Hakimi, Dr Qasim Kakar, Hayatullah Hayat, Abaseen Yousafzai, Fatima Atif, Ahmad Saeed and Majid Kanju, presented papers on Pashto, Hazara, Hindko, Chitrali and Seraiki cultures.

Zahida Parveen later distributed books of the academy to Afghan delegates.

There were also around 20 stalls showcasing handicrafts including traditional dresses, old musical instruments, paintings, precious stones and antiques. During the event, young artists performed traditional ‘waziri attnr’ dance. Later, around 20 poets participated in a Pashto mushaira highlighting peace, sufferings of the people, revival of culture and security. Around 30 Afghan nationals, including five women, attended the event. The two-day event will conclude today (Sunday).

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2014