PESHAWAR: Speakers at a literary session here on Monday asked writers to advocate feelings of national unity, social harmony and mutual respect for strengthening goodwill in the society.

They said that poets and writers were the messengers of social reforms. The annual Pashto poetry recitation event was arranged under the Peshawar University Teachers Association (Puta) in its main hall that was attended by senior poets from parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Around 20 poets participated in the annual event. Students and teachers of different departments and faculties also attended the event in a large number.

Senior bards touched upon variety of subjects including current political crises, cultural loss and looming social chaos. They asked people to stay united and renew pledge to promote mutual harmony and social cohesion for economic prosperity.

Puta arranges annual poetry recitation session at UoP

Prof Jamil Ahmad Chitrali, chief of Puta, in his opening remarks said that poets and writers not only entertained people but also enlightened them with their witty and measured couplets. He said that literati gave hope to people and guided them on social and political issues.

“Puta arranges annual Pashto mushaira to provide mental relief to students and faculty members alongside serious messages clothed in humour and sarcasm for building a just and inclusive society,” he said.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai chaired the event while progressive Pashto poet Rahmat Shah Sail was chief guest on the occasion.

Both the noted poets asked budding writers to advocate feelings of national unity, social harmony and mutual respect for strengthening goodwill in the society. Poets and writers were the messengers of social reform, they added.

Zafar Khan Zafar noted humorous poet as usual brought rich laughter on the faces of the audience through his haikus and earned appreciation from the participants.

Asfandyar Khan, a student of journalism and mass communication, said that he and his friends enjoyed the event as it gave them instant relief from hectic study routine and also it transported them to a world of romanticism.

“Disquiet reigned over the campus throughout our academic session owing to several issues and a poetry recitation proved a quick relief from such activities and also some poets mesmerised our imagination for quite some time,” he said.

Prof Sher Zaman Seemab, Fazle Subhan Abid, Shuakat Swati, Kalsoomzeb, Dr Roshan Kalim, Samina Qadir, Anwar Marwat and Pareshan Daudzai were among the participants of the event.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2022