PESHAWAR: Scholars, intellectuals and writers gathered here on Saturday on the eve of the 146th birth anniversary of the father of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and pledged to uphold his guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline.

Speakers on this occasion asked the poets and writers to spread the message of Quaid-i-Azam as it was their responsibility to protect the ideological boundaries of the country through their literary works.

They said that Quaid-i-Azam would remain the beacon of light for the youth to face the modern day challenges.

The event was arranged under the auspices of Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), Peshawar chapter, at its main hall in which intellectuals and writers turned up in large numbers and expressed their views.

Scholars, writers celebrate Jinnah’s birthday

Dr Fasihuddin Ashraf while chairing the event pointed out that the Muslims of the subcontinent were lucky enough to have Jinnah as their leader who liberated them from the British colonialism as he was blessed with vision, courage and firm determination.

He said the Quaid knew both the British and Hindus very well and countered them with his deep insight and scholarship. He said the birth of Mr Jinnah was in fact the birth of a nation with firm determination and patriotism that never waned in the face of challenges and sea of problems.

Bushra Farrukh, a noted Urdu writer, said that literati had never lagged behind and had always upheld the golden principles of Quaid.

Prof Aslam Taseer in his remarks said that the Quaid’s political vision had motivated poets and writers owing to his unflinching efforts for the freedom of the Muslims of the subcontinent.

Khan Badsha Nusrat, PAL resident director, Aziz Ejaz, Prof Abdul Sattar, Mumtaz Daulatzai and Dr Khadim Ibrahim also spoke at the event.

Meanwhile, Pohantoon Adabi Stori held its literary session after a long break at PAL regional office with Wasifullah Daudi in the chair.

Prof Abasin Yousafzai presented a research paper on the subjective poem, saying such poems composed by eminent Pashto poets were meant to address a particular issue. He said that seasoned poets always expressed their inner self in their poems.

Later, a poetry session was held in which Habib Nawaz Inqilab, Akhtar Nangyal, Haroon Hewad and Shahid Ali Shahid recited their poems.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2022