PESHAWAR: The poets, writers and intellectuals gathered here on Sunday to eulogise the services of late Arbab Mujeebur Rehman for Pakhtun cause and humanity at large.

Paying glowing tribute to the late politician, the speakers said that such leaders served as a great source of inspiration for their youth. ANP leader Arbab Mujeebur Rehman had breathed his last due to a fatal brain hemorrhage on February 24, 2018 at the age of 65.

The Khegarah Da Watan, a social welfare-cum-literary organisation, arranged the event at Amanabad locality in Tehkal, Peshawar to recall the political, social and humanitarian services of Arbab Mujeeb. Poets, writers, political activists and fans attended the event in large number.

Participants praised Arbab Mujeeb’s hospitality, political vision and humanism. They said that he started his active political career from student politics at Islamia College Peshawar as president of Khyber Union. “He suffered imprisonment on several occasions for Pakhtun cause but never compromised on principles,” they said.

Shahid Hussain Adil, a young Pashto poet from Malakand, in his poem said that leaders like Arbab Mujeeb were resurrected with their physical death. He while moderating the event pointed that Pakhtun youth were aware of their issues and would follow in the footprints of their leaders.

Addressing as chief guest, ANP leader Bashir Khan Matta said that Arbab Mujeeb was a humble soul, who wanted Pakhtuns as a progressive and forward looking nation. He said that the late politician was a staunch humanist and had never boasted of his high racial pedigree.

“He was an emblem of true high breed both in thoughts and actions. He had inspired many a young people to be true to their land and people. An icon in his own right, Arbab Mujeeb would continue to remain alive in our hearts forever,” he said.

Arbab Daud Khan, the chief of Khegarah Da Watan (KDW), said on the occasion that he and his colleagues formed the organisation in 2015 for eradication of social evils in Peshawar and also for the promotion of literary activities in the area.

He said that last year Arbab Mujeeb asked them to conduct a spring mushaira at his hujra. He said that local poets at that time pledged that spring mushaira would be organised as an annual event. “Unfortunately he is no more among us but my poet colleagues wanted to pay poetic tribute to our beloved leader. We hope to continue this tradition in future too to highlight different aspects of his life and services for his people,” he added.

The entire second session of the event was devoted to poetry recitation in which about 20 poets participated.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai while chairing the session said that Arbab Mujeeb was an exact replica of Bacha Khan Baba not in physical form but also in his thoughts and behaviour. He said that he loved poets and poetry and had a refined taste for creative images.

Arbab Altaf Qadir, Prof Ahmad Ali Ajiz, Irfan Khalil, Khalid Khalil, Mohammad Saeed Khan, Shahbaz Turani and Nasim Khan also addressed the function.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2018