PESHAWAR: Progressive poets advocated the spirit of humanism and also gave due place to issues of people, said speakers at a literary function.

The function was organised jointly by provincial chapter of Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) and Pakistan Women Writers Forum (PWWF) at Khan-i- Farhang Iran, Peshawar to pay tributes to two Pashto literary giants Alif Jan Khattak and Saifur Rahman Salim.

Senior fiction writer Zaitoon Bano was the chief guest while Prof Salma Shaheen, former director of Pashto Academy, University of Peshawar chaired the event.

The speakers said that both the writers contributed to progressive thoughts in their life time. They said that progressive poets advocated the spirit of humanism and also gave due place to issues of masses.

Speakers pay tributes to Alif Jan Khattak and Saifur Rahman Salim

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Bano said that Alif Jan Khattak was a brave woman, who made great sacrifices for rights of women at a time when no one could dare to step out of home. She said that despite being a resident of far flung area of district Karak, she had made her way into active politics of Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek of Bacha Khan and highlighted issues of women.

“She through her writings in Pakhtun magazine used to motivate women to raise voice for their rights and join freedom movement from British rule. She was bold, visionary and enlightened,” said Ms Bano.

Prof Salma Shaheen said that Saifur Rahman Salim was poet of refine sensibilities and beautiful images. She said that he held a prominent place among the galaxy of Pashtun progressive poets. He emerged as a towering personality on account of his unique style and way of expression, she added.

“Salim’s poetry is fluent and easy to understand. His poems and ghazals reflect his strength of creativity,” said Ms Shaheen.

Dr Wazir Shadaan in his paper said that Alif Jan Khattak and Saifur Rahman Salim were contemporary but they belonged to different schools of thoughts. However, he said, both of them wanted equality and justice for people. He said that both the poets advocated a social cause and both believed in a free society where people could enjoy equal rights.

Prof Dawar Khan Daud said that Saifur Rahman Salim represented progressive school of thought but he had an edge over his contemporary poets owing to his romantic fusion with issues of people. Salim was known as a shy poet but his thoughts and images were quite bold, he said.

Kulsoomzeb, chief of Pakistan Women Writers Forum (PWWF), Peshawar chapter, said that bold women like Alif Jan Khattak, Syeda Bushra Begum, Majeeda Begum, Ameena Khatoon, Mahar Sultan, Syeda Adeena, Mah Alam Nigah, Noor Jahan and Parveen Iqbal Yousafzai paved the way for other Pakhtun women to participate in social life.

She said that those women, despite restrictions and social barriers, played their role for a change in the conservative society. “Women got inspiration and strength from their predecessors,” said Ms Kulsoomzeb.

Said Wali Khial Momand, resident director PAL, Comrade Anwarzeb, Murad Ali, Zeb Afridi, Ghazala Ghazal, Noreen Shama, Nazia Durrani and Hanif Qais also addressed the event.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2017