Ancient bonds: ‘Iran eager to enhance cultural ties with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’
Khana-e-Farhang Peshawar DG says security concerns a hindrance to bringing the two regions together.
The DG said June 5 will be celebrated in Iran in remembrance of the 1963 uprising against the Shah of Iran and delegations from around the world will participate. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Director General (DG) of Khana-e-Farhang in Peshawar, Agha Ali Yousafi, said due to the precarious security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Iran could not further expand its cultural relations with the province, which have been spread over several centuries.
“Although delegations from Iran regularly visit Islamabad, they are not allowed to visit K-P due to security concerns,” said Yousafi while addressing a session at Peshawar Press Club on Monday, adding that the K-P government should also send their delegations to visit Iran and consolidate ties between the two regions.
The DG said June 5 will be celebrated in Iran in remembrance of the 1963 uprising against the Shah of Iran and delegations from around the world will participate. Yousafi added that it is unfortunate that no delegation from K-P has planned to participate on the occasion.
Giving a historical background of the social and cultural relations between Pukhtuns and Iran, Yousafi said the two peoples were also geographically linked in the past, due to which they have deep ties and a rich shared history.
“It is due to this security situation that our people have separated,” said the DG. “Studying each other’s cultures can bridge this gulf.”
Besides the Iranian consulate in Peshawar, Iran has also set up a cultural centre in Peshawar cantonment, which aims to promote art, culture and literature by organising seminars and classes. A number of senior artists and teachers are associated with the centre to teach fine arts, calligraphy and languages, among several other courses.
“We will also organise special courses at universities around K-P to encourage the exchange of literature, especially at the Farsi department in University of Peshawar,” said Yousafi. He added that Iran is ready to provide all facilities for the promotion of culture and literature in this part of the world, and asked for the cooperation of K-P’s people.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2014.
The Director General (DG) of Khana-e-Farhang in Peshawar, Agha Ali Yousafi, said due to the precarious security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Iran could not further expand its cultural relations with the province, which have been spread over several centuries.
“Although delegations from Iran regularly visit Islamabad, they are not allowed to visit K-P due to security concerns,” said Yousafi while addressing a session at Peshawar Press Club on Monday, adding that the K-P government should also send their delegations to visit Iran and consolidate ties between the two regions.
The DG said June 5 will be celebrated in Iran in remembrance of the 1963 uprising against the Shah of Iran and delegations from around the world will participate. Yousafi added that it is unfortunate that no delegation from K-P has planned to participate on the occasion.
Giving a historical background of the social and cultural relations between Pukhtuns and Iran, Yousafi said the two peoples were also geographically linked in the past, due to which they have deep ties and a rich shared history.
“It is due to this security situation that our people have separated,” said the DG. “Studying each other’s cultures can bridge this gulf.”
Besides the Iranian consulate in Peshawar, Iran has also set up a cultural centre in Peshawar cantonment, which aims to promote art, culture and literature by organising seminars and classes. A number of senior artists and teachers are associated with the centre to teach fine arts, calligraphy and languages, among several other courses.
“We will also organise special courses at universities around K-P to encourage the exchange of literature, especially at the Farsi department in University of Peshawar,” said Yousafi. He added that Iran is ready to provide all facilities for the promotion of culture and literature in this part of the world, and asked for the cooperation of K-P’s people.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2014.