PESHAWAR: The participants of a monthly study circle reading session have stressed the need for effective role of women in a vibrant society for its horisontal and vertical development.

Two study circles were conducted in Peshawar, on two Pashto books, one each, a research thesis and a poetry collection. The first study circle was conducted under the auspices of Bacha Khan Trust Educational Foundation (BTEF) in which the contents of Prof Syed Waqar Ali Shah’s book ‘Khazay Au Da Qaam Khidmat’ (women and national service) were brought under discussion.

The panelists reviewed important features of the book, based on a research thesis on the role of Pakhtun women affiliated with Khudai KhidmatgarTehreek of Bacha Khan before partition.

Participants from Charasadda, Mardan, Malakand, Dir, Swabi, Nowshera, Tank, and parts of Fata attended the 13th monthly study circle of Bacha Khan Fellowship Programme.

Rasool Betani said on the occasion that Syeda Bushra Begum, Alif Jana Khattaka, Majeeda Begum and many other brave Pakhtun women played an important role in promoting the cause of Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek.

He said that Pakhtun women contributed to national movements from Mirwais Khan Hotek’s mother Nazo Bibi to Pir Roshan’s Angor Bibi in the early 16th century and from Malala of Maiwand to Alif Jana Khattaka in early 20th century.

Sharing their views, Wagma Feroz and Nadia Khan said that Pakhtuns looked upon women as commodity and were in total denial to give them any role in the development of the society.

However, they that Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek at least recognised the capabilities of women and also assigned to them the responsibilities to work for educating women on their basic human rights and their role on the social and political fronts.

Prof Khadim Hussain said that the book unveiled a very important aspect of Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek. “It tells us that role of women was not only recognised for the first time in history but women were also given a due place to claim their rights,” he added.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Youth Organisation (PYO) also arranged a literary debate and critically evaluated the book of Shaheen Buneri titled ‘Dewal Sara Khabaray’ (talking to wall).

Riaz Ghafur, the organiser of the function, Amin Mashaal, Salman Ali Shah, Mamoona Khan, Urooj Nasir, Farhan Khalil, Azmat Afridi and Sajjad Mohmand attended the event.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2017