PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar here on Wednesday showered praises on noted writer Prof Salma Shaheen and lauded her services for Pashto language and literature.

The seminar was organised by Pashto Academy, University of Peshawar. Poets, writers, research scholars and fans of Prof Salma Shaheen, former director of Pashto Academy, attended the event.

Sherzaman Seemab told the seminar that Prof Salma Shaheen authored around 14 books in Urdu and Pashto. He said that she was a recipient of several awards and commendation certificates for her immense contribution. “She has served as first woman director of Pashto Academy and got superannuation three years ago,” he added.

Speakers say Prof Salma Shaheen encouraged women writers to use pen for seeking rights

In her brief speech, Prof Salma Shaheen said that she took pride in herself being recognised by all and sundry. “I advise my young colleagues to work hard to serve the real purpose of public cause,” she added.

Showering accolades of appreciation, speakers in their papers highlighted various aspects of Prof Salma Shaheen, who had served Pashto literature for over four decades with her unflinching efforts.

They said that she had motivated many young women writers to verify the pressing issues of Pakhtun women. They added that she enjoyed a widespread respect and fame for her expression in literary circles.

Octogenarian Pashto fiction writer Zaitoon Bano, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that Prof Salma Shaheen being a bold writer encouraged young women to use their pen for voicing their genuine rights. She said that she had been successful in achieving her targets as a fictionist and research scholar.

“Slama Shaheen scaled the heights of success as a Pakhtun writer, who took up the courage to explore reasons behind backwardness of women in a typical Pakhtun society. Her poems, short stories and prose describe her high standards,” said Ms Bano.

Ameen Tanha, a young researcher, said that writers like Zaitoon Bano and Salma Shaheen had paved way for other women writers to speak out their minds and hearts. He said that Ms Shaheen’s writings, especially her poems and fiction, registered a positive impact on readers because of her candid expression.

Prof Yar Mohammad Maghmoom said that women writers found a way through Salma Shaheen to record their clandestine protest and assert their feminine strength to play an effective role in the society. He said that more than a dozen books by Ms Shaheen was an ample proof that she had served her cause through her powerful vision.

Pashto Academy Director Prof Nasrullah Jan Wazir said that Ms Shaheen served Pashto and Pakhtuns in her several capacities. “She put Pashto Academy on the right track during her tenure as a director and brought out valuable publications for the benefit of young scholars and common readers,” he added.

Feroz Khan Afridi, Prof Noorul Amin Yousafzai, Dr Farkhanda Liaquat, Dr Khalid Khan, Saidwali Khial Momand, Shahida Sardar and Laiqzada Laiq also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2018