Aussie educationist visits Peshawar

Says his stereotype beliefs about the city broken, impressed by

people, food and archaeological sites

PESHAWAR: Noted Australian academician Martin A J Smith is all all praise for the people of Peshawar and the food and archeological sites.

Above all, he was pleased to see many of his stereo-typical beliefs shattered -for good-as he visited the provincial metropolis to see his friends.

Martin Smith, who is on a 10-day visit to Peshawar, she he is impressed by the great welcome he received.

In an interview with The News on Thursday, the Australian professor said he enjoyed his stay in Peshawar.  He remarked it was all different from what the mainstream media has been portraying about this historical city in the northwest of Pakistan.

He said: “Before my visit to Peshawar, family and friends were wary of the security situation and worried for my safety. But as I landed at Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar, what I actually saw were only friendly and smiling faces. It never occurred to me even once that I’m not safe in Peshawar. I always felt safe here.”

Martin Smith observed that many stereotypes emerged from the ignorance about new people and places. He said his visit to the “City of Flowers” was quite educational as well as full of fun.

In Australia, Martin Smith is teaching at the Canberra Grammar School. He specializes in Studies of Religion, Ethics and Theory of Knowledge. He also taught in Palestine’s Bethlehem University. He said he saw Peshawar and the people here from the prism of a keen observer what many of the natives would ever be able to see.

“When one travels, meet new people and listen to them, get to know about other religions and try to see similarities in them,” he explained. He added that many of the basic core beliefs of the people are very similar leading towards common humanity and spirituality. “We are all same and should respect each other,” Aussie educationist urged.

“Pakistan is only known for the fighting, militancy, extremism and cricket in Australia but it was all different when I visited,” he maintained. “People are so lovely and friendly here,” he said.

He said he was taken by surprise after his visit to the museum, archeological sites, famous Islamia College -now Islamia College University-and the old city to know about the rich history of Peshawar. He also spent a day at the Buddhist remains of Takht Bhai.

The educationist is visiting his friends Raja and Yasin in Peshawar. He would also like to bring his students to tour Pakistan, he said.