SWABI: Elders here on Saturday said that the revival of the hujra (common guest house) culture was essential for strengthening bonds among the people and passing on the Pakhtun cultural values to the young generation.

They were speaking at a gathering held in Naro Kali area of Maneri Bala region here. Local youth also participated.

The elders discussed ways to revive and strengthen the hujra culture in the rapidly changing world.

The participants unanimously acknowledged that no one could deny the status of hujra culture in the Pakhtun society, which has been considered a seat of learning for the people, where the youngsters learnt social and cultural values from their elders.

Say hujra and jirga critical components of Pakhtun tradition

Speaking on the occasion, Sher Ali Khan, head of a local jirga, said they had launched efforts to preserve hujra and jirga, the two critical components of Pakhtun culture. “Other regions in the district and elsewhere in the province should come forward and follow us,” he said, adding that there was no doubt that the hujra culture was under a grave threat, and youngsters did not have time to revive it as they were totally ‘consumed’ by the social media.

Mohammad Naeem, an elder, said that it was their utmost desire to preserve hujra and jirga culture by highlighting their importance among the young people.

“If the elders of Pakhtun areas play their key role, there is no doubt that our children and youth will learn a lot from us,” he said.

WOMAN, DAUGHTER RECOVERED: A woman and her minor daughter, who were abducted by her brother-in-law six months ago, were recovered here on Saturday, SHO Chota Lahor city police station Munsif Khan said.

Ziaur Rahman, a brother-in-law of the woman, had kidnapped her at gunpoint along with her husband and daughter.

The accused, who has been arrested, had killed the woman’s husband, Nizar Ali Shah, and buried the body in an unknown place, and kept the woman and her daughter in confinement, shifting them from one place to another to dodge the police.

Mohammad Fayaz of Zaida village had filed a report six months ago that an unidentified person had kidnapped his brother and sister-in-law and their daughter.

The woman told the police that Rehman killed her husband during abduction, then buried the body at an unknown place and kept shifting her along with her daughter from place to place.

The accused told the police he liked the woman.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2024