ISLAMABAD: Russian Ambassador Albert P Khorev has said Pashto language can bridge the gap between Islamabad and Kabul to pave the way for sustainable peace in the region.
He was addressing the launching ceremony of a Pashto grammar book organised by the Russian embassy on Tuesday.
The book titled ‘Pashto advance applied grammar’ has been compiled by Hafeezur Rahman Dauran, a teacher at National University of Modern Languages (Numl).
“Pashto should be the language of peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan like Russian should be the language of peace between Russia and Ukraine,” Mr Khorev said.
He said since his student life when he was learning Pashto at a university in Moscow, he had been aware that promotion of that language could benefit both Pakistan and Afghanistan. “Unfortunately there are issues between both the countries,” he added.
He said that Russia was ready to play its role in normalising ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Alluding to the operations against terrorists by security forces, he said it was very important to avoid civilian casualties.
He also highlighted the role of Russian language in cementing diplomatic ties between Moscow and Islamabad. “Courses of Russian language are being offered in several cities of Pakistan including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Sargodha, etc.,” he added.
Later, to a question about the meeting of Makkah Agreement partners in Tehran the other day, Mr Khorev said it was a step in the right direction. He said it was vital to engage Iran in talks for restoration of peace in the Middle East.
Addressing the event, Hafeezur Rahman Dauran said his book could prove helpful for foreign students as its language of instructions was English.
Dr Farooq Anjum, the chairman of Pashto department at Numl urged Pashto writers and scholars to contribute to linguistics as it was an ‘ignored’ discipline.
The event was also addressed by Pashto writers Raziq Fahim, Tayabullah Khan and president of Eurasian People’s Friendship Forum Dr Saqib Khan. The ambassador of Taliban government to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb also attended the event.
Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2026
