Literati call for imparting education in native languages

NOWSHERA: Renowned educationist, poet, writer, researcher, and critic Farhad Ghalib Tareen on Monday stressed the need for imparting education in native languages and urged the government to equip the young generation with quality, modern, and scientific education.

“No nation can progress until its younger generation is equipped with quality, modern, and scientific education in its native language. The young generation should be reconnected with books and pens instead of remaining engrossed in the digital world,” he said while speaking as chief guest at a literary event in Kheshgi Bala near here.

The Pashto Literary Forum organised the event in his honour, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police and poet, writer, and researcher Shaukat Hayat Khan.Poet and writer Wali Khan Khaksar presided over the event. Pashto Literary Forum Director Rashid Ahmad highlighted that the purpose of such forums was to promote the Pashto language and to honour those, who had made their mark in research, literature and poetry by paying tribute to them.

Prominent writers and scholars, including Dr Zubair Hasrat, Dr Syed Al-Amin, Hasnain Masoom and Wali Khan Khaksar also addressed the gathering.Ghalib Tareen said that it was imperative for leaders to prioritise education in native languages such as Pashto, Hindko, Seraiki, Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Balti, Kashmiri and Urdu over English.

He remarked that literature and poetry were crucial for nurturing the intellectual growth of the young generation and that they must be taught grammar, literature and dictionaries.The literatus said that nations that fail to remember their literary and linguistic pioneers or pass on the literary tradition to the next generation risk losing their cultural heritage.

Eminent writer and scholar Shaukat Hayat Khan expressed deep concern that the new generation was drifting away from Pashtun traditions, culture, and values.He lamented that the digital culture had derailed the younger generation from their true path. The speaker said all segments of society, including leaders, must play their role guide the young generation and protecting them from this mire.

Later, the speakers presented papers on the literary contributions of Shaukat Hayat Khan and Farhad Ghalib Tareen and elaborated on their works in Pashto literature, poetry, and research. On this occasion, Shaukat Hayat’s book “Ojaram ka Okhandam” was also launched.