PESHAWAR: While highlighting the importance of water resources and climate change challenges caused by its shortage, noted poets asked the people through poems to preserve water.

The call was given during an Urdu-Pashto mushaira organised by the WatSan Cell of the local government department in collaboration with the Khyber Literary Club at the Aga Khan Auditorium of the University of Peshawar here the other day to mark the World Water Day.

The event was attended by students, teachers and social activists in large numbers.

Mushaira held at Peshawar varsity to mark water day

Deputy secretary of the local government department Samiullah and UN representative Sajjad Akbar and head of the Khyber Literary Club Prof Nasir Jamal Khattak were noted among those in attendance.

Members of literati Mushtaq Shabab, Prof Izhar, Aziz Ejaz, Dr Wali Mohammad, Prof Owais Qarni and Prof Shakeel Nayab recited poems on the significance and conservation of water resources and received appreciation from the audience.

They said the people should know their responsibilities regarding the proper use of water to ensure a healthy life and balanced environment.

The experts said 844 million people in the world had little or no access to drinkable water and that 80 percent water went to rivers untreated and thus, threatening marine life.

They said the relevant departments in collaboration with other partners were taking corrective steps, while efforts were under way to ensure the supply of clean drinkable water to people across the province.

The poets showed concern about the acute water shortage and lack of people’s awareness of its proper use but said they were hopeful that the power crisis would make everyone realise the need for water preservation to prevent adverse climate changes.

Prof Nazeer Tabbasum, who chaired the event, said March 21 was marked as the World Poetry Day but the event was held to advocate water preservation through poetry.

He said poets could best guide the people about the seriousness of water crisis.

Assistant coordinator of WatSan Cell Imranullah said almost all poets and writers from Rahman Baba to Khushal Khan Khattak to members of the modern day literati had mentioned the River Abasin in their literary work highlighting the importance of water for life.

“It is a day to celebrate water. It is a day to prepare ourselves for managing water,” he said.

Poets Mushtaq Shabab, Prof Nasir Ali Syed, Shahida Sardar, Prof Aseer Mangal, Kalsoomzeb, Zeba Afridi and Hamad Hasan recited poems on the water issue.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2019