GHALANAI: Noted poet and writer Prof Abaseen Yousafzai on Saturday called for concerted efforts for promotion of local languages and culture.

He was addressing a literary session titled ‘Za Pakhtoon Da Qafelo Sara Zam’ jointly organised by Mohmand Adbabi Ghuncha, Mohmand Adabi Tolana and Markazi Mohmand Adabai Tolana at the Ekkaghund degree college here.

Writers and poets from Khyber tribal district, Charsadda, Mardan, Swat and Peshawar, students and teachers attended the session.

Local poets presented their poems and Ghazals during the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Yousafzai said they were proud of young writers because they were the country’s future. He said nations’ foremost focus has always been on promoting their languages and cultures.

He urged all the Pakhtuns to unite for the development and progress of their areas.

Pointing to the merger of tribal areas with KP, Mr Yousafzai said the tribal people had come in the limelight. He said there were some challenges in these areas which would be resolved after completion of the merger process.

Prof Yousafzai said writers and journalists were badly affected by militancy in the tribal districts, but the government did not take steps to pay compensation to them.

He said the government should hold activities like cultural shows, literary sessions, awards for journalists, and sports galas in tribal districts.

He also urged the local youths and tribesmen to make a constructive plan for sustainable development of the tribal districts.

Prof Abaseen said Pakhtuns had the rich cultural institutions like hujra and jirga which offered solutions to every problem.

“Writers always work for welfare of the humanity,” he said.

At the end of the literary session, gifts were presented to the guest writers.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2019