SWAT: Speakers at a ceremony have said that the habit of book reading among youth is on the decline owing to extensive use of digital technology.

The ceremony was held here on Saturday evening to launch two books titled “Da Tahir Afridi Afsano Kay Haqiqat Nigari” and “Tajziye”, authored by Dr Attaur Rehman Atta. The event was organised by Swat Adabi Malgari and Government Jahanzeb College Swat.

The speakers said that extensive use of digital technology led to a decline in reading and production of quality literary works in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Dr Sher Zaman Seemab, Mumtaz Orakzai, Dr Abdullah Jan Abid, Dr Alikhel Daryab, Sajad Khan Sahar, Dr Hamdar Yousafzai, Hanif Qais, Attaullah Jan, former MPA Dr Ibad, Dr Amjad Ali Khan, Samiullah Gran, Ihsan Yousafzai, Zafar Ali Naaz, Usman Ulasyar, Hamayun Masaud, Prof Mumtaz Ali Shah and Prof Mohammad Saleem addressed the ceremony.

Two Pashto books launched in Swat

They said that production of quality research in all fields was on decline that was inflicting an unprecedented loss on the nation.

“It is heartening to note that Dr Attaur Rahman Atta has consistently produced exceptional literary works, starting with his poetry and now culminating in his research on the fiction stories of Tahir Afridi,” they said. They added that Tahir Afridi was a prominent progressive and nationalist fiction writer.

The speakers said that Dr Attaur Rehman constantly served the Pashto language by writing prose and poetry in that age of technology when people had stopped reading books.

“What is truly remarkable is that in this digital age, Dr Attaur Rehman has garnered a dedicated following among many young readers. They eagerly immerse themselves in his literary works,” they said. They added that the phenomenon served as compelling evidence of his enduring popularity and the timeless appeal of his books.

The speakers said that in an era characterised by rapid technological advancements, the fact that a significant portion of the youth was drawn to his writings underscored the profound impact of his storytelling and his ability to resonate with the sensibilities of contemporary readers.

“Dr Attaur Rehman’s ability to captivate the imaginations of young generation speaks of his skills in crafting relevant and engaging narratives, transcending generational boundaries,” they said.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2023