MINGORA: Writers, social activists and local elders acknowledged the services of renowned scholar and historian Parvesh Shaheen by arranging a ceremony in his honour here on Sunday.

The event titled “Jashn-i-Shaheen” was arranged by Swat Public School in collaboration with Nariwal Adabi Taroon.

Renowned poets and writers Abdur Rahim Roghaney, Bakhtzada Danish, Fazl Rabi Rahi, Hanif Qais, Zafar Ali Naaz, Prof Attaur Rehman Atta, Riaz Ahmad Hairan, Shamsul Iqbal Shams, ANP leader Sher Shah Khan and ADC Zameen Khan Momand addressed the ceremony.

The speakers said that Parvesh Shaheen was not an individual but an institution of history and literary activism in Pakhtun built. “He has carried out authentic research on Swat, Pakhtun civilisation, history and languages,” they added.

Fazl RabiRahi said that for the first time in the history of Swat Mr Shaheen worked on conservation of different languages spoken in the district and surrounding areas and wrote a comprehensive history.

“We have seen that usually people celebrate their heroes after death but I appreciate the organisers that they have started the tradition of celebrating living heroes,” said Zahid Khan. He termed Parvesh Shaheen a real hero of the land.

Hanif Qais said that heroes in every field should be celebrated by their people during their lifetime.

“Parvesh Shaheen is the symbol of consciousness, knowledge, culture and tolerance. He not only worked on the history and languages of Swat but also on the environment, tourism, archaeology and Buddhism,” said Prof Atta.

Parvesh Shaheen in his address thanked the organisers and participants of the event and said that it was an honour for him as his work was celebrated. “I feel it is my second birth. I feel a real pride to be acknowledged by my people. Today I am short of words to express my gratitude,” he added.

Earlier, the principal of SPS, Mohammad Khalil Qazi, welcomed the guests and said that the school belonged to the heroes of the country and Swat and would organise such events in future.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2019