PESHAWAR: Speakers at a book launching ceremony here on Friday asked students to revive reading habit for better understanding the modern day challenges and widening their mental scope.

They said that though Covid-19 dampened literary activities on the campuses of educational institutions this year, publications of new valuable titles on a variety of topics remained intact and book fairs were also organised by some student organisations attracting readers in droves.

Young literati, students and teachers attended the function where the maiden Pashto poetry collection titled ‘Da Meeny La Hiwada’ (from the world of love) penned by noted scholar Prof Dr Fakhrul Islam, director Pakistan Study Centre at the University of Peshawar, was launched.

The ceremony was arranged under the banner of Pohantoon Adabi Stori at Khyber Union Hall of Islamia College University.

Prof Fakhrul Islam’s maiden Pashto poetry collection launched

Chairing the function, Prof Abaseen Yousafzai pointed out that the poetry book by a research scholar went beyond ordinary collection of words and phrases.

The new Pashto title, he stated, would lend richness to poetry of nature through a scholarly lens as beautiful images of nature sprinkled through the entire work inspired a mood to appreciate everything around us. He said students should revive the habit of reading for unlocking their mental horizons.

“I have gone through the book and found it filled with a beautiful landscape whether high mountains of Malakand, clean water streams of Swat or mythological fairies of the mountainous region.

He glorifies the bravery of Pakhtuns and their traditions,” commented Mr Yousafzai.

Prof Islam, author of the book, said literature played a significant role in shaping the society and Pashto poetry, prose and fiction flourished in the war-hit region.

He said it showed collective consciousness of the society.

Prof Noorul Amin Yousafzai said that being a research scholar, Prof Islam had already authored nine books while he had to his credit about 75 research papers on several issues published in national and international journals. He stated that Prof Islam’s poetry was a rich treasure trove of knowledge.

Prof Hanif Khalil and Shahab Aziz Arman also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2021