PESHAWAR, Feb 25: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Culture Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that Yasmeen Khan was a legendary heroine of Pashto movies and her contribution to film industry will be remembered always.

He was addressing a function in the jam-packed Nishtar Hall on late Friday night. The event titled 'A Tribute to Yasmeen Khan: Da Zama Warze Dee' was organised jointly by Culture Journalists Forum (CJF) and Culture Directorate of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The minister said that government would continue fighting against terrorism and extremism through promotion of cultural activities in the province. Ihtesham Toru, CJF president, in his remarks said that creating awareness among masses about importance of cultural identity, paying tributes to legends of arts and encouraging new talent were few basics aims of his organisation.

He demanded of the government to set up a gallery and Yasmeen Khan Endowment Fund for the welfare of the artists and take practical steps for promotion of art and culture of province.

He also called upon the minister to take serious notice of the shows, organised at different places in the name of so-called Pakhtun culture, which were distorting the image of the entire Pakhtun nation.

“There should be monitoring committees for these kinds of culture shows within the province and outside the country. They should not be allowed to proceed on foreign visits in connection with culture functions without the proper NOC of the quarters concerned,” he demanded.

Asif Khan, renowned Pashto film star of the yore days, paid glowing tribute to Yasmeen Khan and said that she was really a woman of Pakhtun dignity and contributed immensely to not only the art of film but also created a space for other Pashtun women aspirants in the field.

She always encouraged art activities and wanted that Pakhtun woman should be given a due place in the society, he added.

Film director Qaiser Sanubar on the occasion said that Yasmeen Khan was an icon of Pashto film industry and was truly an artist par excellence.

Jamil Babar, another actor of Pashto movies, said that Yasmeen Khan was an intelligent woman and used her talent for creative art and gave a new direction to Pashto filmmaking.

Earlier, a documentary on the life and contributions of Yasmeen Khan was shown that received great appreciation from the participants.

TV artists Arshad Hussain and Neelum Gul performed on poplar old songs filmed on Yasmeen Khan in her hit movies.—Bureau