CHITRAL, Nov 10: Despite remoteness of Chitral its language known as Khowar has rich collection of prose and poetry like any other regional language, said the executive director of National Institute of Folk Heritage, Lok Virsa Islamabad, Khalid Javid here on Wednesday.

He was speaking at a literary function held to give lifetime achievement award to veteran Khowar poet and singer Mubarak Khan Mubarak. He said that Lok Virsa was working for promotion of Khowar language, which is spoken in Chitral and one district of Gilgit-Baltistan province.

“Khowar is a complete language and views expressed in its literature are quite at par with that of any developed language,” Mr Javid said. Referring to characteristics of the theme presented in Khowar poetry, he said that it preached peace, love for all and hate for none and in the present scenario such characteristics were highly valued.

Mr Javid also announced a cash prize of Rs50,000 for the elderly poet. He said that Lok Virsa would continue to patronize and appreciate the works of Khowar poets and writers.

The function was held with the collaboration of Anjuman-e-Taraqi Khowar, Chitral, and those who spoke on the occasion included Dr Inayatullah Faizi, Maula Nigah, Gul Nawaz Khaki, Niaz Ahmed Niazi advocate and others.

They said services of Mr Mubarak for the promotion of Khowar and its introduction in many types of poetry.

They said that Mr Mubarak used his poetry to express the sentiments of Chitrali people and thus he got the recognition as 'the poet of masses'.