“Khwendi Adabi Lakhkar” Holds Literary Seminar -

Amjad Hadi Yousafzai

PESHAWAR : “Khwendi Adabi Lakhkar” (Khaal), the first organization of Pashtun women writers, organized a one-day literary and intellectual seminar at the hall of the Academy of Letters Pakistan in Peshawar. Writers, poets, intellectuals, journalists, educationists, medical professionals and women writers from different parts of the country participated in the event.

The programme began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Noor Zia, followed by a Naat presented by Faiza Shehzad. General Secretary of the organization, Dr. Farzana Rasool Sanam, presented the welcome report and highlighted the literary and social activities carried out by the organization since 2016.

Founder President Kulsoom Zeb welcomed the participants and expressed satisfaction over the large participation of women. She said women should support and encourage one another, as this would increase their representation in different fields as well as strengthen their confidence. She stressed the need for senior writers to guide the younger generation and help protect them from negative trends and abusive content on social media.

The first session focused on children’s literature. Dr. Raj Afridi, Shah Mahmood Momand, Faiza Shehzad, Islamabad-based children’s writer Ibn-e-Niaz and Dr. Muneeba Zahid, who is fighting thalassemia, discussed children’s literature, their problems and the challenges facing them. The session was moderated by Waseem Khattak, a journalist and writer for children.

Zeba Afridi presented a paper on “The Role of Women in Politics and the Political and Contemporary Situation.” Another detailed session was held on “Women and a Healthy Society,” moderated by columnist and writer Naz Parveen. Dr. Seema Shafi, Dr. Saba Khan, Dr. Mian Iftikhar Hussain and Dr. Shahida Shaheen Sardar participated in the session.

Students of the Qadeem School of Leadership — Muhammad Aman Qasim, Ayesha Nadeem Khawaja, Tahseen-ur-Rehman, Muhammad Asim Khan and Muhammad Ubaid — presented a skit on “Environmental Pollution and Its Effects on Society,” which received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

A special session on Gandhara civilization was hosted by Riaz Khan. Dr. Ayesha Bibi spoke on “The Use of Skin in Gandharan Buddhist Art,” while Dr. Sania Siraj discussed “The Representation of the Lotus Flower in Gandharan Art and Architecture.” The unique topics attracted considerable interest, and participants also raised questions which were answered in detail by the experts.

Due to shortage of time, papers by Randa Atman Khaila on “Qanta Begum and Her Literary Services,” Rimsha Khan Swati on “Women’s Literature in Hazara Division” and Gul Arbab on “The Role of Women in Hindko Literature” were reserved for the quarterly literary journal “Dardani.”

Several books were also launched during the seminar, including Kulsoom Zeb’s short-story collection “Bora Janai,” Gul Arbab’s “Nagufata Bah” and “Chalbali Wadi,” Nighat Rasool Nayab’s “Ma Wa Pezhni Za Sa Yum,” “Ghuncha Da Gulo” and the short-story collection “Azmiakhtona,” Dr. Saba Khan’s “Baad Muddat Ke Zindagi Se Mili,” and Sajida Maqbool Tanha’s short-story collection “Da Zra Dard.”

Awards were presented in recognition of literary contributions. PPP MPA Advocate Mehr Sultan and Pride of Performance recipient Shazma Haleem also attended the seminar.

After the lunch break, a poetry session was held, moderated by Randa Atman Khaila and Dr. Farzana Rasool Sanam. A large number of poets participated, including Sajida Maqbool Tanha, Dr. Farzana Rasool Sanam, Saira Bano, Ayesha Mehak, Zaib Yousafzai, Nighat Rasool Nayab, Zeba Afridi, Mumtaz Tajik, Gul Arbab, Dr. Seema Shafi, Dr. Saba Khan, Dr. Shahida Sardar, Faiza Shehzad, Shaheen Amin, Nosheen Yousafzai and others.

Dr. Khalid Ibrahim, Javed Khan, Jalal Ahmad Jalal, Dr. Lal Badshah Khayali and Shah Saud Zhobal also presented their poetry and received appreciation from the audience.

Representatives of national and international electronic and print media attended the event. At the conclusion, certificates of appreciation were distributed among senior journalist Amjad Hadi Yousafzai and other participants.

The seminar provided an important platform for highlighting the role of women in literature and society, promoting intellectual engagement among the younger generation and encouraging constructive literary activities. Participants appreciated the efforts of “Khwendi Adabi Lakhkar” and expressed the hope that such literary and intellectual programmes would continue in the future.