Pashto literatus Rahat Zakheli remembered

NOWSHERA: Noted scholar, writer and poet, and former Inspector General of Police Shaukat Hayat Khan has said that personalities like Syed Rahatullah Rahat Zakheli were born once in centuries.

“Rahat Zakheli is regarded as a pioneer of modern Pashto literature, both in poetry and prose. His contributions to religion, academia, literature, and journalism are well-recognized,” Shaukat Hayat said while addressing a seminar held in memory of the renowned Pashto poet, writer, and journalist Syed Rahatullah Zakheli.

The event was organized by the Bazm-e-Adab Society in Government High School No. 1, Nowshera Cantonment.The seminar was presided over by Dr Abdullah Jan Abid, Awami National Party leader Atlas Khattak, Mian Latifullah Shah Kakakhel, Dr Noor Muhammad, Principal Dr Nasir, Dr Sajjad Ali Khan, and others.

The speakers said that the late Rahat Zakheli held the honour of being Pashto’s first novelist, short story writer, and journalist. He authored numerous books and published Pashto’s first newspaper, Daily Afghan, in 1910.

They added that he also edited the first Pashto magazine Staray ma shay and the daily Shahbaz.“Rahat Zakheli translated significant works such as Shikwa, Jawab-e-Shikwa, and Bang-e-Dara by Allama Iqbal and the famous Gulistan-e-Saadi by Persian poet Saadi, into Pashto,” said a speaker.Other speakers urged the literati and researchers to pass on the works of these writers to the new generation to encourage students to follow their ideals and preserve their legacy.