PESHAWAR: Abasin Arts Council gave away awards and commendation certificates to Urdu, Pashto and Hindko poets and writers for their best literary works produced during the year 2022.

A large number of poets and writers and book lovers attended the award giving ceremony. The ceremony was organised by Abasin Arts Council in collaboration with Bank of Khyber here the other day.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdur Rauf Rohaila, chief of Abasin Arts Council Peshawar chapter, said that poets and writers should come up with new ideas and creative thoughts. He said that they should contribute to society through their purposeful writings. He added that it was the responsibility of writers to promote the cause of peace, stability and human values.

“It is high time that poets and writers motivate youth to contribute to society through their creative strengths and vision. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is home to rich linguistic plurality where poets and writers have been in the forefront to advocate national unity and peace,” he said.

Irfan Saleem Awan, the managing director Bank of Khyber, said that literati were precious asset nation and deserved honour and respect. He said that he would always extend cooperation to Abasin Arts Council for such literary activities.

Later on, writers and poets were given awards and certificates for their best literary works.

Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar award for Urdu best poetry was given to Bushra Farukh’s book ‘Larkia Band Kitabo Jaisi’. Prof Mohammad Shafi Sabir award was given to Waheeda Malik’s book ‘Mata-i-Sukhan’. Allah Bakhsh Yousafi award for Urdu prose was given to Tahir Sherazi’s book ‘Saans Laity Shehar May Mohabat’.

Prof Mohammad Shafi Sabir prose award was given to Mohammad Jamil Kachokhel’s book ‘Ham Khaak Nasheen’. For Urdu research and compilation, the award of Justice Kiani was given to Faheem Siddique’s book ‘Waadi Peshawar Gandahara’.

For Pashto poetry, the award of Rahman Baba was given to Imtiaz Ahmad Abid’s book ‘La Jawaab’, while for Pashto prose Khushal Khan Khatak award was given to Mohammad Jamil Kachokhel’s book ‘Neemgary Qeesy’.

Maulana Abdul Qadir award for research and compilation was given to Sikandar Khan Sikandar’s book ‘Fun Au Funkaar’. Sain Ahmad Ali award was received by Ahmad Nadeem Awan for his book ‘Ghazla Nazmaa Teray Naam’. Riza Hamdani award was given to Gul-i-Arbab’s book ‘Choony Naal Banny Kahania’.

Said Farigh Bukhari award was received by Ali Awais Khial for his book ‘Mukhtar Harfi’. The event was followed by a trilingual poetry recitation session.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2024