PESHAWAR: Speakers at a monthly literary session here on Sunday urged youth to conduct research on scientific lines on the vision of Khushal Khan Khattak in its true perspective as most Pashtuns were unaware of his social, anthropological and political contribution.

They said that researchers and intellectuals were yet to explore Khushal Khan Khattak’s vision, his multilayered personality traits and leadership qualities.

“His celebrated book ‘Dastarnama’ written in prison is still a valid document for several disciplines being taught in today’s university level,” they added.

Pabbi Intellectual Forum (PIF) arranged a comprehensive debate on the life and works of Khushal Khan Khattak. Literati, intellectuals and research scholars participated in the debate and shared their scholarly views.

Dr Mian Iftikhar Hussain, a noted psychiatrist, in his opening remarks said that PIF had planned since long to bring under discussion

various aspects of Khushal Khan Khattak, especially his social and political contribution, and its monthly debate was dedicated to open deliberation.

Prof Noorul Amin Yousafzai was the keynote speaker while Gul Akbar Khan chaired the event.

Mr Yousafzai said that Khushal Khan Khattak authored Dastarnama when he was put behind bars by Mughal king. Khushal Khan Khattak’s influence on Allama Iqbal’s thoughts was a well-known fact.

He said that Khushal Khan Khattak described qualities and arts of a national leader with a stress on farsightedness, high moral strength, confidence and refine aesthetic sense alongside bravery and the spirit to lead the people in the said book.

Quoting one of his inspirational couplets, he said that Khushal Khan Khattak envisioned that the entire world could be made to live in perfect peace together provided that the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue and mutual trust remained intact.

Leader should be impeccable, reliable and brave to lead his people by setting his personal example and should instill the spirit of piety, inclusivity and respect for views of others among masses.

A local folk artist also sang popular numbers of Khushal Khan Khattak that earned applause while selected poems were shared on the occasion.

The speeches were followed by an interesting question and answer session in which panelists responded to the queries of participants.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2024