Peshawar: Participants at a one-day seminar on “Resistance in Pashto Literature” on Friday observed that it has historically served as a mirror of social and political resistance.
Scholars and poets highlighted the contributions of literary luminaries such as Khushal Khan Khattak and Rahman Baba, noting how their works, alongside Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s ‘Islah al-Faghna’ movement, played a key role in shaping the Pashtun spirit of defiance and cultural resilience.
The seminar was held at Khyber Inter College Kohat, organized by the All Pakistan Pashtun Thinkers Forum, Kohat.
Scholars, poets and literature enthusiasts from Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Peshawar and Kohat attended the event in large numbers.
The seminar was presided over by the renowned poet and former MPA Dr. Iqbal Fana with Radio Pakistan Bannu Station Director Raza Muhammad Khattak attending as the chief guest.
Other notable participants included Johar Khalil, Professor Dr. Hanif Khalil, Ijaz Surani and Saeed Rahbar. The session began with a Quranic recitation by Hafiz Muhammad Qasim Al-Qasmi, followed by moderation from Feroz Khan Sadiq.
Academic papers were presented by Dr. Shakir Orakzai on ‘Ayub Sabir as a Resistance Poet’ and Khalid Pakhtoon on ‘Saleem Raz and Resistance Literature.’
During a QandA session, Dr. Hanif Khalil addressed the audience queries while forum founder Professor Javed Ihsas emphasized the forum’s commitment to raising public awareness through similar literary seminars across the region.
Dr. Iqbal Fana remarked that every conscious individual embodies resistance, and Pashto literature remains a powerful symbol of this spirit.
The seminar concluded with a prayer by Saeed Rahbar, leaving participants inspired by discussions on literary activism and cultural resistance.