PESHAWAR: Speakers at an event here advised young scholars to look for new topics leading to linguistic research along scientific lines.

They said that quality academic research would widen scope of marketing ideas. They expressed these views on the occasion of defence of a doctorate thesis. A young scholar successfully defended his decorate thesis titled ‘Aesthetics in Kazim Khan Shaida’s Poetry’.

The event was arranged at Pashto department of University of Peshawar where poets, writers, scholars and faculty members turned up in a large number. Prof Ruhullah Jan, chairman of Pashto department, chaired the function while Prof Farkhanda Hayat, director of Pashto Academy, was also present on the occasion.

Mohammad Jawad Shafaq, a resident of Mardan district, submitted his PhD dissertation, an analytical and critical study of classic Pashto poet Kazim Khan Shaida and successfully defended it as he threw light on salient features of various aspects of aesthetics, perspectives and style of the poet under debate.

Addressing at the event, speakers said that literary and academic research was need of the hour as young scholars required to explore new topics that should lead to widen scope of linguistic research on scientific lines.

Sharing brief summary of the thesis, Shafaq pointed out that several other scholars also had conducted doctoral level research on different aspects of Kazim Khan Shaida but no research study was done on ‘aesthetics’ in the poetry of the classic bard. The study covered all aspects of aesthetics and would serve as source of inspiration for bibliophiles at large, he said.

He said that his thesis comprised six chapters, each clearly explained alongside with reverences and authentic sources which would benefit budding researchers and even common readers.

“Initially it was a very tough job for me to conduct an analytical and critical study of the classic Pashto poet’s aesthetical vision but my scholarly supervisor and examiners helped me go through all kinds of references, primary and secondary sources and numerous research books and finally completed it,” said the young scholar.

The dissertation was conducted under the supervision of Prof Bushra Khatoon with Prof Hanif Khalil as an external examiner.

Prof Yar Mohammad Maghmoom on the occasion termed the decorate thesis a valuable addition to Pashto literature. Former director of Pashto Academy Prof Nasrullah Jan Wazir said that such research theses would contribute to analytical and critical traditions.

Prof Javed Iqbal Khattak, Prof Zubair Hasrat and Prof Shakeel Ahmad also spoke at the function.

The presentation of decorate thesis was followed by an interesting questions and answers session in which, the young scholar responded to the queries by the participants.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2024