PESHAWAR: Participants of a panel discussion here on Wednesday called for spreading the message of cultural and linguistic diversity for lasting peace.

They said that linguistic diversity should be used as strong weapon for breeding mutual respect and interfaith harmony as it would also help to foster the spirit of national unity and a broad worldview.

Prof Qibala Ayaz, chief of Council of Islamic Ideology (IIC), chaired the event. He asked students to promote peace by focusing on education.

The event titled ‘Think Peace’ was organised under the umbrella of Shaoor Foundation for Education and Airlessness (SFEA) here on Wednesday at University of Peshawar.

UoP Vice-chancellor Prof Mohammad Saleem, Raja Shoaib Akbar, the executive director of SFEA and Ali Hameed, the chairperson of SFEA, also spoke on the occasion.

Multilingual poetry recitation session, author talks, art exhibition, traditional foods, handicrafts and cultural stalls and rabab playing were the main features of the event in addition to a live theatre. Students, teachers and delegates from Lahore, Islamabad and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa turned up at the event.

A theatrical monologue registered huge impact on the audience. The live performance showing role of Sikh, Hindu, Christian, transgender persons and a child was aimed at creating awareness among youth about a pluralistic and inclusive society.

Also, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) organised a series of events across the province to commemorate International Mother Language Day, highlighting the importance of linguistic diversity and advocating for the rights of linguistic minorities.

The events were addressed by PkMAP senior deputy chairman Arshad Khan, provincial president Dr Mohammad Ali, provincial deputy secretary Niazbeen Malang and Peshawar district president Gul Marjan.

They highlighted the link between national progress and education in mother languages, lamenting that government’s neglect pushed many languages to the brink of extinction.

In Khyber, three separate events were held on Wednesday in connection with mother language day wherein speakers demanded of government to declare Pashto medium of instruction in all educational institutions of the province.

The events were organised at Bara Press Club, Hashimabad high school in Jamrud and Bacha Khan Chowk in Landi Kotal.

In Chitral, a function was held to mark the day. Speakers on the occasion said that there was dire need to take concrete steps to preserve local languages as their annihilation meant the loss of rich cultural heritage. Later, the participants of the event marched from town hall to Chitral Press Club.

In Lakki Marwat, education department with support of Boy Scouts Association held a walk and seminar to mark the day.

The walk started from Government Shaheed Mohammad Ghasan Khan Centennial Model High School No.1 and culminated at Kargil Chowk.

In Dera Ismail Khan, a seminar was organised by education department at Government Middle School No.2 Writer Syed Hafizullah Gilani, deputy district education officer Malik Noor Sultan, Gulzar Ahmed, Ataul Akbar, Dr Qaiser Anwar, Yaqoob Babar and Prof Habib Mohana addressed the seminar.

In Lower Dir, a function was organised by Dir Qaumi Pasoon (DQP) in Malikabad to mark the day.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2024