PESHAWAR: Speakers at a literary event here on Sunday termed the publication of four new titles treasure trove for Pashto literature, asking budding writers to contribute to society through their creative talent.

They said that despite being in odd situation themselves, poets and writers were still in the field to contribute to the society plagued by different social anomalies including declining taste for readership of books.

The ceremony was arranged by Pakhto Adabi Tolana Regi Seema (PATRS) at the hujra of Dr Shafi Mulazai. Poets, writers, scholars, local elders and book buffs attended the function.

The four new Pashto titles namely Khamoshai Kay Hangama, Ma Kho La Hes Derta Weyalee Na Dee, Sailgaree and Nuaman Khan Au Kochai have been penned down by Aminullah Daudzai, Prof Hanif Khalil, Meher Khalil Mulazai and joint authors Jauhar Khalil and Najeebullah Naz respectively.

Four newly-published books launched

The speakers said that poets and writers continued fulfilling their responsibilities to contribute to the society through their creative writings whether prose, poetry or fiction. They said that despite deep slump in the books market and poor taste for reading books, literati brought out their works.

Zahid Khan Shaida, who presided over the event, said that his organisation had been encouraging quality literary works and always helped poets and writers to bring out creative works that would motivate and benefit society, especially youth so that they could reclaim their interest in reading books.

Senior poet and former radio broadcaster, also chief of PATRS, Hamdullah Jan Bismil remarked that Sailgaree by Meher Khalil Mulazai, a detailed account of beautiful picnic spots of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had already been included in the BS syllabus of Bacha Khan University, Charsadda and Islamia College University owing to its style expression and valuable information.

Shahab Aziz Arman stated that senior poet Aminullah Daudzai brought out his 11th unique collection of free verse and blank verse in Pashto containing topics that other poets missed out while the folk romantic tale was based on true incidents that happened in early 40s.

Noorul Islam Sangar, Jauhar Khalil, Prof Zubair Hasrat and Meher Khalil Mulazai also spoke at the event.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2021