PESHAWAR: Poets from different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gathered here to motivate students to play their role for promoting the cause of universal peace and mutual respect towards building a multicultural society.

The event was organised by Shaoor Peace Foundation (SPF) in collaboration with Salamti Fellows Programme (SFP) in Puta Hall at University of Peshawar.

Noted Urdu, Pashto and Hindko poets from different areas participated in the poetry recitation session titled ‘Amn Mushaira’. They advocated universal peace, harmony and mutual respect in their inspirational poetic pieces. They registered great impact on audience as students remained gluing to their seats with great interest.

Gul Ranga, a student poet of English department from Shangla, told this scribe that such events helped students to develop a good taste for enjoying poetry recitals.

Student of law dept steals the show at UoP poetry recitation session

Senior Urdu poet Aziz Ejaz chaired the event while Bushra Farrukh was chief guest o the occasion. Around 400 poets turned up at the event and presented poems, urging students to work for the cause of peace and universal brotherhood.

Young poet and rights activist Afsar Afghan in his opening remarks pointed out that students should come up with innovative thoughts and vision to promote such activities on the campus and in the society at large. He added that students had great strength to make effective use of social media for the advocacy of peace.

He also recited his poem in which he expressed the hope that students would play their due role for development of the country and restoration of peace alongside receiving quality education. “Being an integral part of the society, students are expected to promote healthy activities on the campus,” he added.

Haris Khan Shinwari, a student of law department, stole the show with his beautiful poem and garnered a thunderous applause from the participants. Shaukat Swati, another poet, rendered his poem on the occasion and received huge appreciation.

Hayat Roghani, chief of Mafkoora, said that poets could motivate young people to adopt non-violence as a strong strategy to counter the narrative of militants and raise awareness among people about serving the society through peaceful means.

Sajjad Juandoon, Samina Qadir, Dr Roshan Kalim and Hussain Patman also spoke on the occasion. Palwash Jamil and Masood Ahmad Khan, organisers of the event, later distributed commendation shields among student poets.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2023