Music maestro Khyal Muhammad decorated with highest Afghan civil award

PESHAWAR: Pashto music maestro Khyal Muhammad was decorated with the highest national civil award of Afghanistan at a function arranged here on Thursday.Afghan Consul General in Peshawar Dr Abdullah Waheed Poyan decorated the legendary singer with Mir Bacha Khan Award on behalf of Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani.

He read out the message of the Afghan President wherein he lauded the contribution of the singer and said Khyal Muhammad was being honoured in recognition of his services to the Pashto music and culture. He prayed for the long life and good health of the singer. 

Speaking on the occasion, Awami National Party (ANP) general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain thanked the Afghan government for honouring a Pashto singer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the gesture was manifestation of the fact that the two brotherly countries shared not only religion, language, culture and traditions, but were also working for the promotion of harmony among the peoples across the border. 

He said it was time to bridge the gap and lessen the differences between the two countries as the enemies of peace were creating a wedge between their peoples.He said the Pakhtun culture was attacked by imperialist forces from time to time, but it survived. 

Recalling the ANP-led KP government’s efforts for art and culture, he said about 110 artistes were awarded cash payments and one million rupees were given to Khyal Muhammad. Another ANP leader Afrasiab Khattak in his speech appreciated the Afghan government.