GHALANAI/TIMERGARA: Speakers at two different events in Mohmand Agency and Dir Lower have asked writers and poets to promote soft image of Pakhtuns and play role for peace in the region.

The event in Mohmand Agency was organised by sports and culture department at Jirga Hall to mark World Poetry Day. Political Agent Mahmood Aslam Wazir was chief guest on the occasion while tribal elders, local poets and officials attended the event.

The poetry session was presided over by Momand Adbai Ghuncha president Ghulam Hussain while Momand Adabi Tolana president Hairan Momand, Jandar Shah Jalbal, Wisal Momand, Mohammad Tabasum, Talib Sangar, Mohib Ali Mohib, Raham Sher and Khyal Mohammad were also present.

They passed a resolution to demand of the authorities to award monthly stipend to tribal writers and local poets. They said that tribal writers were affected by militancy but neither government nor non-governmental organisations helped them.

The second event was arranged by Dir Pakhto Adabi Karavan at Timergara Press Club with prominent Pashtp poet Fazal Hakeem Andalib in the chair.

Dir Pakhto Adabi Karavan president Tahir Altaf Sarhadi, Samiullah Khatir and Ismail Anjum spoke on the occasion. They urged poets and writers to promote soft image of Pakhtun and rich culture of the region.

Timergara Press Club president Ismail Anjum was chief guest while poets and writers from different parts of the district attended the function. The poets presented their poems and received applause from the audience.

The speakers said that poets and writers wanted to promote love, peace, brotherhood and prosperity.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017