PESHAWAR: A local Pashto literary society marked the 337th death anniversary of Baba-i-Pashto literature Khushal Khan Khattak (1613-1689) here on Friday.

The Amn Pashto Literary Society (APLS) arranged a function at a local college’s auditorium, where writers, faculty members and students showed up in large numbers and paid glowing tribute to the 17th century Pashto bard.

Ahmad Ali, chief of the society, said the main objective of the event was to celebrate literary, social and political contributions of the multi-faceted Khushal Baba.

Among most influential personalities and especially Pashtun leaders, there are very few individuals who confess to their past mistakes. One of them was Khushal Khan Khattak, who had possessed moral courage and a clear intellectual vision to distinguish darkness from light, the speakers commented.

They stated Khushal Khan Khattak criticised himself, powerful rulers, and even his own Pashtun society; from faith perspective, he was a pure-hearted and devout Muslim and, in society he was a brave and prudent politician. His strength lied in the fact that he never favoured religious bigotry and sectarian conservatism, as he boldly and clearly exposed their ignorant and anti-societal actions, the participants observed.

Zarin Khan Pashtun, APLS general secretary, pointed out that Khadeeja Ferozuddin was the first Punjabi woman who, on the advice of Allama Iqbal, had conducted her doctorate thesis titled ‘The illustrious Khushal’ from Punjab University in early 40s.

Born in 1613 in Akora Khattak, Khushal Khan Khattak became a tribal chieftain in the age of 28 in the Mughal era, and later stood out as one of the towering figures in Pashtun history – as a fearless warrior, visionary and tribal chieftain, and an undisputed father of Pashto literature.

Prof Syed Hasnain Shah, head of the college’s Urdu department, on the occasion said that initially Khushal Baba served the Mughal empire loyally, defending its frontiers with his matchless bravery, yet, when he was stripped of chieftainship, he boldly turned rebel against Mughal king Aurangzeb. “He rallied Pashtun tribes, defeating imperial forces in daring encounters and championed unity among Pashtuns for freedom and dignity.”

“What truly immortalised Khushal Baba, however, was his mighty ‘pen’ with which he blended courage, profound philosophy, and love for homeland,” he added.

Khushal Khan Khattak passed away on February 20, 1689 with sword by his side, a life blazing testament that a true leader fights with both sword and pen. His legacy endures as the eternal voice of Pashtun honour, bravery and unbreakable spirit.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2026