PESHAWAR: Pohantoon Adabi Stori, a literary organisation, launched complete works of noted Pashto poet Khyber Afridi here at Pashto Academy on Sunday.

Speakers at the event paid glowing rich tributes to Said Ahmad Jan alias Khyber Afridi and appreciated him as poet of peace and romance .They said that he had attributed the maiden collection of his poetry ‘Garzandi’ published more than three decades ago to “peace”.

The participants pointed out that the late poet was a trendsetter as he had introduced new phrases and coined numerous terminologies to encourage new literary experiments. Around 30 poets and writers attended the event.

Speakers credited Sultan Bashkhel Afridi, chief of Pak-UAE literary organisation, for sponsoring the publication of complete works of Khyber Afridi for the first time.

Published under the auspices of Pak-Amaraat Adabi Pakhto Tolana, a Dubai-based literary organisation, the book is spread over 728 pages. The complete poetic works of Khyber Afridi encompasses his all earlier three poetry volumes -- Garzandi, Paichoomi, Drand -- and some unpublished poetry.

Speakers appreciate Khyber Afridi as poet of peace

Senior poet Muntazir Shinwari while addressing as chief guest on the occasion said that Khyber Afridi had a lofty vision and was not just a versifier of base emotions. He said that the late poet advocated peace, pluralism and diversity in his poetry.

He remarked that great literary giant Hamza Baba could not eclipse his poetic talent and had acclaimed a high literary status even in his life time.

“Khyber Afridi had a great sense of history and wanted Pakhtuns to reform themselves in the light of their past values and golden social norms which were rooted in mutual harmony and peaceful co-existence,” he added.

Prof Sher Zaman Seemab said that Khyber Afridi was a progressive Pashto poet, who stood for a remarkable change in the tribal society. “He commanded respect and widespread fame for his refine expression,” said Mr Seemab.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai in his remarks said that he had enjoyed life-long associations with Khyber Afridi. He said that Khyber Afridi had enjoyed great respect among literary circles because of his unique way of expression.

He said that Afridi’s style of composition was simple and fluent but powerful as it would inspire the readers. “Khyber Afridi would always stress that Pakhtuns should use pen instead of gun to grab their rights and should de-learn violent thoughts. Deep class consciousness, aesthetic exuberance and humanism find a fine expression in his poetry,” Mr Yousafzai added.

Young peace activist and poet Afsarul Mulk Afghan while expressing his views said that Khyber Afridi was the poet of many colours and shades who had influenced a host of young Pashto poets owing to his youthful spirit and reformative thought.

“Afridi teaches us to use our pen for a reformative purpose, peace and cementing ties. He used to say that poet should be the symbol of spreading love and peace,” said Mr Afghan.

Later, young poets Saqib Afridi, Faiz Ali Khan Faiz, Shahid Ali Shahid, Farhat Abbas, Waqar Ali, Asmat Kakar, Habib Nasir, Shakil Akhunzada and Akhtar Nangiyal presented poetic tributes to Khyber Afridi.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2016