PESHAWAR: The third edition of the Peshawar Literature Festival (PLF) began at the University of Peshawar on Friday.

Book fairs, stalls displaying traditional foods, artifacts, handcrafts, and poetry recitals are part of the festival held at different departments and halls of the UoP.

Delegates from local colleges and universities turned up.

Dosti, a welfare organisation, arranged different activities on the opening day of the 10-day festival, which began at the varsity’s history department.

Panelists at a group discussion asked students to understand the rapidly changing geopolitical situation in its true perspective and reclaim the tradition of dialogue culture through authentic references in history, art and folk literature.

Speakers through several panel discussions, author talks, and poetry recitals kept motivating the audience with their lively debates and fruitful interactions.

Keynote speaker Prof Razia Sultana shared her valuable views on ‘the relevance of history in contemporary times’, urging youth to have a genuine knowledge of the rapidly changing situation around them.

Prof Faizullah Jan stressed the need for deconstructing narcissism through cross-cultural lens, while quoting from the celebrated book titled ‘Narcissism and Goldmund’ authored by Hermn Hesse, a noted German-Swiss writer. “Things should be understood in their true perspective and targets be set according to one’s own strength and correct vision,” he added.

At another debate, panelists dwelt on various aspects of Allama Iqbal’s masterpiece scholarly work ‘Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam’, while scholars also shed light on character building of students in the universities with focus on guiding youth on the right track towards a just and balanced society.

Noted scholars, including Sadia Ateeq, Asma Jamshed and Naheeda Begum, spoke at length on the topic ‘the role of schools in promotion of literature and culture’, asking teachers to help students participate in such healthy activities.

Prof Gulzar Jalal hosted a panel debate on the importance of Pashtun journal in the light of history, which served as mouthpiece of the Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek launched by Bacha Khan in early 1930.

Prof Syed Wiqar Ali Shah said the journal had ignited the spirit of freedom from British raj, saying it advocated the message of non-violence.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2024