PESHAWAR: Speakers at the inaugural ceremony of three-day Bacha Khan Peace Festival here on Tuesday advised students to adopt ways and means to fight ignorance, militancy and extremism with pens and books.

The event is part of the series of activities being held in connection with the centenary celebrations of Islah-i-Afaghina launched by Bacha Khan’s Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek in 1921.

MPA Shagufta Malik, who was chief guest on the occasion, called upon the students to set an example of being peaceful, nonviolent and disciplined. She said that students should adopt ways of modern education to counter all kinds of violence in accordance with nonviolence philosophy of Bacha Khan. She added that Bacha Khan highlighted the significance of women’s role in the society.

Other speakers said that the main objective of the event was to transport students to a period of history in which Pakhtun leaders adopted peaceful means to get freedom from the British.

Bacha Khan Peace Festival begins

“The Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek led by Bacha Khan launched a movement to reform Pakhtuns, asking them to bring about change in their attitude, get modern education and give rights to women,” they said.

The festival was arranged under the auspices of Pakhtun Students Federation (PkSF) at the cricket ground of Allama Iqbal Hostel, University of Peshawar. A large number of ANP works, students, teachers and social activists attended the event.

The first day highlights included a mega book fair where around 20 bookstalls showcased titles in English, Urdu and Pashto on variety of topics. Students took keen interest in the books available at discount from 40 per cent to 60 per cent. The visitors also donated blood as token of sacrifice for humanity.

A group of Afghan students also put up their stall exhibiting antiques, posters and musical instruments. The stalls of blood transfusion, computer games and traditional foods and beverages lent beauty to the event.

Jamshid Wazir, provincial chairman of PkSF, said that university curriculum required drastic changes when it came to local traditions and heroes. He said that the current contents being taught to students failed to promote peace and encourage asking questions so most students ended up with tunnel vision.

“PkSF will continue to motivate its workers to practically display the virtues of nonviolence, adopt book reading habit, hold study circles, value national heroes and give respect to women. Our peace narrative will always motivate youth to participate in healthy social, literary and cultural activities,” said Mr Wazir.

MPA Abdul Samad Khan, PkSF campus president Osman Khan, general secretary Hasnian Khan and Advocate Taimurbaz also spoke at the event.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2021