PESHAWAR: Speakers at a literary event have asked poets and writers to spread the message of peace and non-violence through their writings and healthy activities.

They said that it was the moral responsibility of literati to utilise their creative talent for instilling the spirit of resilience against acts of terrorism. They added that literati should come forward to advocate pluralistic society in their writings.

The Pashto poetry recitation contest was arranged in a local hotel to encourage the poets of Khyber tribal district. Around 75 poets participated in the poetry competition titled ‘the candle of peace and unity’.

Community Resilience Activity-North (CRA-N) a not for profit organisation in collaboration with district administration of Khyber arranged with an objective to motivate local bards for a unified resilience towards building a peaceful society.

Poets from parts of Khyber including Bara, Tirah, Jamrud and Landi Kotal as well as Peshawar attended the event. Noted writer Prof Yar Mohammad Maghmoom Khattak chaired the function. He said that poetry was a powerful way of expression. He added that poets should utilise their inborn talent to shape up the outlook of the society.

The organisers said that the CRA-N in a joint venture with the district administration of Khyber acknowledged local poets and activated them as positive agents of resilience.

“We provided local poets with opportunities to come forward and utilise their poetry in shaping up views of people about peace,” said a senior official of the district administration. In the first phase, he added, the organisation with the help of local literary societies arranged poetry competitions in Bara, Jamrud and Landi Kotal tehsils of Khyber.

Noted Pashto poets Laiqzada Laiq, Prof Aseer Mangal, Prof Jahanzeb Shaoor and Prof Yar Mohammad worked as judges at the final round of the first-of-its-kind event.

In the final round held for Khyber, Khan Mohammad Hamraz and Mubeen Hasas secured second and third positions respectively. Riaz Afridi clinched the first position.

Poets also paid rich tributes to victims of Peshawar blast, which claimed lives of more than 100 people, mostly policemen, and left over 200 seriously injured.

The judges honoured the position holders with special awards and appreciated their role for peace and tolerance.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2023