PESHAWAR: Speakers at a ceremony here on Sunday billed Salim Raz a true advocate of enlightened Pakhtun nationalism and a strong voice of downtrodden.

The ceremony was organised jointly by World Pashto Adabi Jirga and Niaz Adabi Sangar at a hujra in Shah Qabool Baba to mark the first anniversary of the progressive poet, writer and research scholar Salim Raz.

Literati and research scholars from parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shed light on various aspects of life and contributions of the late writer and chairman of World Pashto Adabi Jirga.

QWP provincial chief Sikandar Hayat Khan Sheropao and Aimal Khan Khattak also attended the function.

Speakers pay tributes to progressive writer on his first death anniversary

Prof Aseer Mangal, the newly appointed chief of World Pashto Adabi Jarga, chaired the event. He said that Salim Raz being a versatile writer had immensely contributed to Pashto literature. He said that the later writer was a committed scholar and believed in what he preached.

Mr Mangal said that Salim Raz never comprised on his stated position, especially when it came to Pakhtun progressivism and social change regarding interests of the marginalised sections of society.

Speaking on the occasion, Amjad Ali Khadim said that Salim Raz considered impartiality as token of duality and always advocated universalism and pluralism for building a peaceful society. He said that the later would argue that boasting of past tribalism would no longer benefit Pakhtuns.

“Raz was strong in his convictions and firm in thoughts. He was a true follower of Bacha Khan’s philosophy of nonviolence and wanted Pakhtuns to become a forward-looking society having a broad world view,” said the speakers.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai said on the occasion that Salim Raz was in fact a progressive social reformer always desirous of bringing about a substantive change in the society that should provide space to women, youth, minorities and poor segments to avail justice, progress and prosperity in equal proportion.

Prof Mohib Wazir said that Raz was a multi-faceted personality and had served Pashto language and literature in several aspects including poetry, research, prose, pen-portrait and literary criticism.

Senior writers including Noorul Bashar Naveed, Salim Bangash and Pervez Sheikh also addressed the event.

A Pashto poetry recitation session was also held to pay poetic tributes to Salim Raz and versified his message.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2022