PESHAWAR, Sept 24: Writers and poets from across the NWFP paid rich tribute to renowned Pashto poet Ashraf Maftoon at a literary sitting held under the auspices of the Pakistan Academy of Letters.

Prof Khatir Ghaznavi presided over the function while Akram Khan Khattak, a close friend of the late poet and father of Nowshera district nazim, was the chief guest, a press release said on Sunday.

Akram Khattak said that during his 62-year-long friendship with Maftoon, he found him devoted to the promotion of Pashto literature. He said that Maftoon as a politician and businessman could have achieved a remarkable position in society, but instead he chose literature for his identity. It showed that he was a sensitive man and wanted to serve with his pen.

Majeedullah Khalil, Muflis Durrani, Dr Sher Zaman Taizai, Makhtar Ali Nayyar, Dr Mohammad Azam Azam, Dr Rajwali Shah Khattak and Murtaza Khan Shaheen also addressed the gathering.

Highlighting Maftoon’s literary achievements, they said he was a man of heart and soul and was among the few innovative poets who introduced new dimensions in Pushto poetry. Qamar Rahi, Peer Gohar, Dr Fazal Deen Khattak and Amjid Ali Khadim read out poetical renderings to honour the late poet’s memory.