PESHAWAR: Speakers at a literary event called upon poets and writers to use their creative talent for spreading peace narrative and motivate a spirit among people to know their rights.

They said that being eyes and ears of the nation, literati should come forward to guide people to own their national heroes and give respect to those, who had rendered sacrifices for a just Pakhtun cause.

They were addressing the launching ceremony of Pashto poetry volume titled “Zakham Da Gulab Da Cham Sandara Shwa” by Prof Izharullah Izhar held at Bacha Khan Markaz here on Thursday. Large number of poets, writers, social activists and poetry lovers attended the function.

New Pashto poetry book launched at Bacha Khan Markaz

Speaking on the occasion, ANP general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that responsibilities of the poets and writers became manifold in such a time when Pakhtun region was passing through the most difficult phase of a political turmoil.

He said that poets and writers, intellectuals and scholars had great contribution in Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek and Bacha Khan had great regard for literati.

Mr Hussain asked poets to give a special space in their writings for advocating non-violence peace narrative. He also read out poem from the new collection of the poet and received great applaud from the audience.

Senior poet Israr Da Toru said that poets and writers were aware of their responsibilities and tried their best to fulfil them in befitting manner. He said that Prof Izhar’s new poetry would prove a milestone for the budding poets.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai, who chaired the event, said that it was the 21st volume by the poet, who not only had contributed to Pashto but also to Urdu and therefore had a special respect among the literary circles for his great literary acumen. He said that Prof Izhar had a talent to play on words and also had a vision to create even new literary genres.

Senior writer Prof Aseer Mangal said that the new Pashto poetry collection as usual would cast a magic impact on the readers because of its diction, similes and metaphor and other poetic devices.

He said that Prof Izhar had always inspired others to create images well in accordance with the situation being developed around them.

Administrator of Bacha Khan Markaz Ijaz Yousafzai, editor of Pakhtun magazine Hayat Roghani, Prof Noorul Amin Yousafzai, Prof Abid Khattak, Afsar Afghan, Kulsoomzeb, Rashid Khan and Karan also spoke at the event.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2019