PESHAWAR: Senior poets and writers gathered here on Friday to highlight the literary contributions of noted writer Prof Salma Shaheen and termed her an epitome of great substance and strength.

Ms Shaheen is the author of 18 books, both in Pashto and Urdu, and served as the first woman director of Pashto Academy, University of Peshawar. She enjoys popularity among literary circles for her bold expression and unique style.

The Khwendo Adabi Lakhkar (KAL), a women’s literary organisation, conducted the event at the KP culture directorate’s hall. Delegates from Islamabad, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Karak, Charsadda and Peshawar attended the function.

Prof Nasrullah Wazir, sitting director of the Pashto Academy, while speaking as chief guest at the event said that Prof Shaheen had set a great example for Pakhtun women writers to play their role in every sphere of life, including literature. He said that she enriched the Pashto literature by contributing to almost all its literary genres and won appreciation from all and sundry for her bold expression. “She is a woman of great substance and strength, in addition to being a writer of unique style. She highlighted women’s issues and defined their role in a typical Pakhtun society,” he commented.

Kulsoom Zeb, KAL chief, paid tribute to Prof Shaheen and said that women in Pakhtun society needed more space and exposure. She said the writer had paved the way for them in the guise of a poet and fiction writer and also served as a strong voice of Pakhtun womenfolk.

Chairing the function, senior writer Prof Yar Mohammad Maghmoom said that Prof Shaheen had conducted substantive research on Pashto tappa and discovered its various features in a befitting manner . He said she had proved herself as a poet, fictionist, folklorist, and as an excellent administrator. He said she was among a few women writers who had devoted her entire life to serving the Pashto language and literature.

In her brief speech, Prof Shaheen said that women writers should come forward for fulfilling their social responsibilities alongside their male counterparts. She said she felt confident that Pakhtun women today were more aware of their rights and duties than before.

She said she used her pen for portraying true image of women in a Pakhtun society. “It is also responsibility of men to support their women if they want to survive in today’s modern world. We cannot ignore women’s participation in our society,” she stressed.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai said that Prof Shaheen contributed to all genres of Pashto literature, but she had excelled in azad nazm (free verse).

He said she had a good command over literary expressions and her poetic pieces and short stories had earned her public appreciation.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2017