PESHAWAR, Jan 4: The Progressive Writers' Association, NWFP chapter, in collaboration with Da Sahuleekunkio Adabi Maraka, organized a reference to pay tribute to renowned Pashto writer Sanobar Hussain Kakaji at the Urdu Science Board Library Hall here on Tuesday.

"Great writers and personalities never die; they take a new birth in every century. They will continue to influence the posterity with their inspiring ideas and revolutionary thoughts.

A great revolutionary whose multi-faceted personality will always be remembered by the suffering humanity," said Sardar Khan Fana, a close companion of Sanobar Hussain Kakaji, while presiding over the reference.

Writer Salim Raz, in his paper said that Kakaji introduced progressive and innovative trends in Pushto literature. He dedicated his life to addressing the problems of the downtrodden. Kakaji struggled with the pen and also with the sword against the British aggression.

Being an accomplished journalist, he edited three magazines - Shola, Aslam and Sailab. Aslam is considered to be the first Pushto journal to publish articles on literary criticism. It paved the way for progressive writings in Pushto.

Rokhan Yousafzai, provincial secretary-general of the Progressive Writers Association, in his paper said his teachings were still relevant in the rapidly changing geopolitical scenario.

Kakaji was a political thinker, a recognized politician, a mature writer, a good critic and a capable journalist. He devoted his life to his political ideals. He did not lose heart in spite of the hardships, victimization and imprisonment.

His political consciousness and revolutionary struggle substantiated the truth for which he fought so hard. His thinking, ideology, action and his whole life were a reflection of that truth.

He had been endeavouring with courage to propagate the truth, added Rokhan Salim Raz. He demanded of the Pakistan Academy of Letters Islamabad (PAL) to publish a collection of all works of Kakaji.

Large number of poets, writers, intellectuals and fans of Kakaji attended the reference. Sanobar Hussain Kakaji was born in January 1897 at Kaga Wala, a village near Peshawar, and died on January 3, 1963.