Zaitun Banu declared Khatun-e-Awal of Pashto fiction

PESHAWAR: An event was held at the Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar, to commemorate the International Women’s Day.

According to a press release, the ceremony was organised by the UN Women, UNFPA and other civil society organizations. The event had various sessions. One session was dedicated to the life and works of Zaitun Banu, a prominent Pashto and Urdu language writer, poet and broadcaster, and her 60 years of works that revolve around women and girls’ issues. 

Known poet Abseen Yousafzai and the participants in recognition of her works bestowed upon her the title of Khatun-e-Awal (first lady) of the Pashto fiction.  A panel discussion was arranged on the sustainable Development Goals and its implementation along with challenges and opportunities in the context of KP and Fata.

The panelists included Zaitun Banu, Neelam Turu, Lubna Tajik, Shabina Ayaz, Abaseen Yousafzai and Dr Basharat Hussain.  Women leadership awards were announced by EVAW/G Alliance KP & Fata for Mrs. Javed Bittani, Badam Zari, Shabina Ayaz and Gullalai.