LOWER DIR: The Yousafzai Global Jirga on Saturday organised the ‘Malik Ahmad Khan Baba’ Awards ceremony in Khaima area of Lower Dir, where prominent elders of the tribe and personalities recognised for their services in various fields were honoured with awards, shields and traditional turbans and caps.
Elders of the Yousafzai tribe from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attended the ceremony, which highlighted the tribe’s history, culture, traditions and unity. Speakers also paid glowing tributes to the late Malik Jahanzeb Khan Yousafzai for his national, social and reformative services.
Addressing the gathering, Yousafzai Global Jirga central chairman Malik Jahan Alam, Sir Foundation founder Rahim Shah Akhunkhail, district president Malik Farooq Iqbal, Malik Shah Naseem Khan, Malik Muhammad Sher Khan, Alamgir Khan Paikhel, Malik Ahmad Ali Khan Yousafzai and Aftab Alam Khan, among others, underscored the importance of preserving cultural heritage and fostering peace, education and sustainable development.
They observed that nations that safeguard their history, traditions and cultural heritage remain resilient and continue to thrive. Emphasising the need for unity among Pakhtuns, they urged the community to rise above mutual differences and prioritise education, technological advancement and development to keep pace with the rapidly changing world.
Malik Ahmad Khan Baba Awards ceremony held
The speakers said the Yousafzai Global Jirga had been established to promote peace, resolve disputes, bring about social reforms, protect people’s legitimate rights and utilise local resources for public welfare and development.
They clarified that the organisation had no political agenda and functioned as a non-political platform for social reforms while fully respecting the Constitution and laws of the country.
Describing the Pakhtuns as a peace-loving nation, the speakers said lasting peace, prosperity and development in their homeland could be achieved by ending personal enmities, mutual grievances, hatred and discord. Instead of criticising or belittling other communities, they said, people should focus on self-improvement, character-building and collective progress.
They warned that the Pakhtun nation risked falling behind other communities if it failed to adapt to changing circumstances and modern requirements. Emphasising the role of young people, they urged them to acquire modern education, technical skills and technological expertise to secure respectable employment and establish themselves at national and international levels.
Paying tribute to the late Malik Jahanzeb Khan Yousafzai, the speakers said tribal elders who devoted their lives to the welfare of their community would always be remembered with respect and honour. They pledged to strengthen unity, brotherhood and the spirit of public service by following in the footsteps of their forefathers.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, distinguished tribal elders and individuals recognised for their contributions in different fields were presented with awards and commemorative shields.
Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2026
