SHANGLA: Writers and poets at a literary ceremony here on Monday urged the government to take steps for promotion of Pashto language and literature.

They were addressing the annual poetry recitation session arranged by Hafiz-i-Alpuri Literary Circle in Bisham. Poets from various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presented their poems and received applause from the audience. Senior poet Prof Abaseen Yousafzai was chief guest on the occasion.

Amir Wahid Tayab, a visually impaired poet from the hilly area of Martung, described the prevailing situation in the country in his poem.

“I have no eyesight but I have learnt the Holy Quran by heart and remember my poems. I have written a book titled “Kanrhi Hum Oba Kavi” with the help of my friend,” he said.

Fahad Ihsas, a young poet from Allai Battagram, urged the senior poets to encourage young writers and provide opportunities to them so that they could showcase their hidden talents at different platforms.

Poets from across KP attend annual poetry recitation session in Shangla

In his poem, he complained about the behaviour of landlords and rulers of the country for their failure to maintain peace in the region.

Asad Rafi, a young poet from Bisham, said in his poem that freedom of speech was banned in the country. “I can’t see the change promised by Prime Minister Imran Khan and rights of people are being usurped,” he added.

Aqil Zada Aqil, a host of the function, said that they arranged the poetry recitation session every year to remember Sufi poet Hafiz-i-Alpuri.

Senior poet Attaur Rehman Atta urged the Pakhtuns to forge unity and convey the message of peace to the world and work for promotion of Pashto.

Qamar Sehrai, Mukhtiar Ahmed Shaheen, Gulfam Sabir, Mohammad Ali Khpalwak from Battagram, Sahibzada from Dir, Aslam Salik, Iqbal Shakir, Attaullah Jan, Hanif Qais and Ibrahim Khan Shabnam from Swat and local poets presented their poems on social issues, inflation, behaviours of people, need of peace, natural beauty of the region and attitude f rulers.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai said that he had come to know that poetry of Hafiz-i-Alpuri was being republished after removal of the errors made by publishers. He also recited his poem and received applause from the participants.

Gifts were distributed among the guest poets by the hosts.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2019