RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Participants at a literary session termed that promotion of literary activities was vital for durable peace and socio-economic development of tribal areas.

The poetry session was jointly organized by Bajaur Pakhto Adabi Malgari, an organisation of local poets and literary figures and local cultural department in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation in Bajaur tribal Agency. Writers, poets, tribal elders, activists of political and religious parties and youths attended the event in large numbers.

Officials of the local administration, cultural department, Bajaur Levies force and representatives of the non-governmental organisation were also present on the occasion. Opening the session, president of Bajaur Pakhto Adabi Malgari Anwar Nigar and its chief patron Abdul Ghafar Tofan said that the session was aimed to highlight the significances of independence of Pakistan.

The speakers including, ANP senior leader Malik Attaullah Khan, notable intellectual Sheikh Jan Zada, researcher and religious leader Mufti Bilal Yasar, Shah Khaild Shah Jee, Anwarullah Khan, Abdul Manan Khan, Shah wali Khan Mamond, Fatih Rahman and Lali Shah underlined the significance of freedom in their speech. They said that freedom and liberty was not only necessary for the human development but also vital for a peaceful, civilised and prosperous society.

Highlighting the sacrifices of people of tribal areas in country’s independence, the speakers said that the residents of the entire tribal belt in general and the elders in particular had played tremendous role in the independence of Pakistan. They also highlight the drawbacks of FCR, adding that the replacement of colonial governance system (FCR) with country’s regular laws in tribal areas was imperative for sustainable peace and socio-economic development of the region.

The speakers said that constructive change in Fata was must to ensure proper social justice system and of the status quo in the region. On the occasion, scores of poets belonging to different areas recited their pomes about importance of independence of Pakistan and positive changes in the tribal areas as well.

The poets noted that draconian law and lack of proper social justice system was not only hurdle towards the socio-economic development of tribal areas, but also the main obstacle in promotion of literary and cultural activities in the region.