Book on na’at collection launched

ABBOTTABAD: A book on na’ats was launched at a ceremony in the district on Sunday.The book “Midat-e-Pyamber” has been authored by Niaz Swati. On the occasion, participants paid tribute to the late poet.
Addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the government had no intention to ban any sect from performing Haj and a new column in Haj form was introduced to identify different sects. He said the government was introducing a code of ethics for religious harmony.
Sardar Yousaf paid tribute to late Niaz Swati and said that his services would be remembered. Earlier, several poets including Ahmed Hussain Mujahid, Dr Muhammad Sufian Safi, Tariq Bashi, Bashir Ahmed Soz, Wahid Siraj and Amir Sohail also spoke on the occasion and paid tributes to the Swati for the services he had rendered for Urdu literature.
They lauded Swati’s books “Bebakian” and collection of Naats “Midat-e-Pyamber.”Born in 1939 in Bhogarmang village of Mansehra district, Niaz Swati is considered among the top humorous poets of Pakistan. He had a literary mindset since his childhood. He was decorated by President Ayub Khan for his tremendous contributions to social work as a student of University of Peshawar.
Besides serving the Population Welfare Department for 28 years, he wrote thousands of poems and made thousands of people smile through his sense of humour. Niaz Swati died in a traffic accident near Haripur on August 3, 1995 when he was travelling back from his duty station at Peshawar towards his hometown in Abbottabad.
Hajra Niaz, granddaughter of late Niaz Swati and his son Abid Niaz also spoke on the occasion. Former senator and senior lawyer Qazi Muhammad Anwar, cousin of late Niaz Swati, shed light on the life of the poet. Riaz Muhammad Khan, in his speech, asked the government to support such organisations, which have been promoting national heritage and assets.