SWABI: Mohammad Taskeen Manerwal, a romantic Pashto poet, passed away in Maneri Payyan village here on Monday at 72.

By profession he was a teacher and retired as headmaster from the education department in 1999.

However, he was known as a poet as his numerous ghazals and verses became popular among Pakhtuns not only in Pakistan but also in Afghanistan.

He started poetry when he was a fifth grade student, influenced by famous Pashto poets, Rahman Baba and Khushal Khan Khattak.

Mr Taskeen was instrumental in publishing Neelab magazine when he was studying in Government Postgraduate College, Swabi.

According to his colleagues, he had a hard life, but was a true advocate of peace when he was among people.

His only book ‘Cha Kha Khoshay Shara Wy’ was published about a decade ago, which helped him to be counted among known romantic poets of Pakhtuns.

He was unmarried, but used to say that he would remain alive among people through his verses.

Nural Amin Yousafzai, a prominent scholar, said Mr Taskeen was well-aware of the people’s psychology because of his teaching profession. “His name will remain alive as long as the Pashto language lives,” he said.

MAN SHOT DEAD: A man was killed when his rivals opened fire on him in Zarobai village of Topi tehsil on Monday.

Topi city police station officials said Hazrat Amin along with a son was on way home when Muthahir Shah and his son, Huzifa Khan opened fire on them, killing Amin on the spot. However, his son survived the attack.

The police registered FIR and started in further investigations.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2022