“Spring without peace is nothing, we welcome the spring with a message of peace in the whole country,” says Zeb.
Poets from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan at a mushaira (poetry recital) on Friday had only one message for their people - peace is the way forward.
In an area where the volatile law and order situation has instilled fear in the hearts of the people, the Pashto Mushaira, was really a good way to enter the season of spring with high hopes.
The College for Youth Activism and Development (CYAAD) and the Suvastu Arts & Culture Association (SACA) jointly organised the event at the Swat Press Club.
Speaking on the occasion, Usman Ulas Yar, Chariman SACA said that spring is a symbol of beauty and peace was inevitable for a prosperous life.
“Peace is the essence of life and spring blends it with splendour,” he said.
Coordinator CYAAD, Ahmad Zeb, said that developing leadership skills and sensitising the youth towards volunteerism was the basic aim of their organisation.
“Spring without peace is nothing, we welcome the spring with a message of peace in the whole country,” he said.
“When we were coming here, we were concerned about our safety, but the environment is completely different here. There is complete tranquillity in this paradise valley,” said Atta Mohammad Atta, a guest from Baluchistan.
Raziq Fahim, Director CYAAD, said that “Swat is the combination of mountains, forests, waterfalls, rivers and peaceful people. We hate every kind of terrorism and insurgency and will never allow it on our soil.”
Zebunnisa, a member of the former royal family of Swat, was the chief guest, who appreciated the event saying such activities were the hallmark of living nations.
“Our forefathers loved education and built schools in every nook and corner of Swat which is why, today, we have high ratio of literacy here. Such literary events must be organised in the future as well,” she said.
At the end of the event, a resolution was passed demanding to form a judicial commission to expose the elements behind the Swat mayhem of the recent past.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2013.
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