PESHAWAR: A quarterly Pashto magazine has recently completed three years of publication serving the cause of promoting quality literature and women’s rights through the written word and creative vision.

In this age of hi-tech social media, the Pashto magazine titled ‘Gulwareen’ being published regularly from Mardan and printed from Peshawar has completed three years in print earning a widespread reputation for its quality content, charming title and refined print paper.

Fahmeeda Kamal, noted fictionist and the editor of Gulwareen writes in her editorial note: “When three years ago, I launched the magazine with an objective to highlight women issues and encourage budding writers, little I thought, the print edition would flourish and get a high status among literary circles.”

Fahmeeda Kamal and her spouse Kamal Khan wanted to make the said magazine a mouthpiece of Pashtun woman literati alone as its female contributors had been swelling up since its inception.

Upcoming edition of Gulwareen is dedicatedto women writers

Gul Mohammad Betab, a senior writer, commented that Gulwareen maintained its quality of content, print and getup. “I am a regular reader of Gulwareen and always fiund it impressive and inspiring when it comes to quality publication. It is a milestone in magazine journalism,” he added.

The contributors, members of the editorial board, and Pashtun woman writers have celebrated the third-year successful publication of Gulwareen and its effective role in promoting magazine journalism and helping to create a wide circle of young

college and university women writers as the magazine brings out its quarterly edition with no commercial intent.

Aftab Gulbanrh, the assistant editor, said that the upcoming edition of Gulwareen would be special publication on Pashtun female writers

contribution to Pashto as interest of young women literati was ever increasing.

He said that his focus was on Pashtun women writers to contribute to a magazine that not only owned them but also would help them bring out their genuine issues. The copy of the magazine is sent to postal addresses to female readers free of cost so that they can get an insight into how poets and writers positively evaluate women’s rights.

The magazine covers several aspects of women in a typical Pashtun society through the lens of senior and emerging literati, scholars, intellectuals and experts, especially women poets and writers. It mainly comprises three sections. The first section is devoted to literary criticism, commentary and analysis of a variety of literary fields including fiction, literary genres, translation from world classics and contribution of women writers, rights activists and social workers.

The second section explores literary movements, trends and its impact through research, review and critical evaluation by scholars and experts. It also unfolds emerging trends in literary traditions across the globe.

The third section is dedicated to miscellaneous topics covering current issues in the light of past knowledge and folklore and correlation of the new societal changes impacting literary thoughts and future vision.

Kalsoomzeb, author of several books and head of Khwindy Adabi Lakhkar, a women’s literary organisation, in her remarks pointed out Fahmeeda Kamal deserved kudos for her selfless services for the cause of promoting feminine literature.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024