Literati pay tribute to late Pashto writer Hamish Khalil

PESHAWAR: Writers and poets gathered at the Pashtun Cultural Museum Hall at the University of Peshawar on Thursday to honour the legacy of renowned Pashto writer Hamish Khalil.The event, organised by the Pashto Academy and Thinkers Collection Peshawar (TCP), featured a two-part programme consisting of a conference and a Mushaira (poetry session) that celebrated Khalil’s extensive contributions to Pashto literature.

Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Qazi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Peshawar, praised Hamish Khalil as an intellectual giant, acknowledging his role in enriching Pashto literature. Dr Qazi noted that Khalil was an encyclopedia of Pashto scholarship, leaving a profound and enduring impact on modern Pashto literary traditions.

Former director of the Pashto Academy, Prof Nasrullah Jan Wazir, who chaired the seminar, spoke of Khalil’s life-long dedication to Pashto literature, noting that he had authored over 80 books, research papers, short stories, and poems that continue to inspire the Pashto literary community.

Prof Javed Iqbal Khattak from Islamia College University, who completed his doctorate on Khalil’s work, shared that Khalil’s knowledge spanned numerous literary genres and classical Pashto literary figures.

Prof Farkhanda Hayat, current Director of the Pashto Academy, highlighted the multifaceted nature of Khalil’s scholarly work, noting that it encompassed areas from research and fiction to journalism and literary criticism. She added that Khalil’s association with the Pashto Academy extended over decades, during which he contributed significantly to various research projects.

The event concluded with a poetic tribute to Hamish Khalil, featuring contributions from Prof Sherzaman Seemab, Prof Yar Muhammad Maghoom Khattak, and Rokhan Yousafzai, who celebrated his enduring influence on Pashto literature.

Urdu book on Afghan War launched: In a separate event, the Urdu book Taqweem by US-based writer and analyst Atiq Ahmad Siddiqui was launched at the China Window in Peshawar. Dr Amjad Hussain was the chief guest, with Prof Qibla Ayaz chairing the ceremony. The book, reviewed by Prof Nasir Ali Syed, Prof Gulzar Jalal Yousafzai, and Prof Syed Zubair Shah, offers a refined narration of 20 years of the Afghan war.Amjad Aziz Malik moderated the launch, marking an insightful addition to the body of literature on the region’s history.