The Gandhara Hindko Academy and Gandhara Hindko Board jointly arranged a function on Sunday to acknowledge the literary services of a noted Canada-based Hindko fiction writer, researcher, columnist and broadcaster from Peshawar, Aftab Iqbal Bano. An eminent writer, researcher and columnist from Peshawar, living in the United States, Attiq Ahmad Siddiqui was the chief guest on the occasion.
An educationalist, Dr Samina Zahid and Ms Farhat Jabeen were the guests of honour. A number of people from various walks of life attended the programme, arranged on the lawn of the academy.
The speakers included a distinguished cultural activist and Vice-Chairman of Gandhara Hindko Board, Dr Salahuddin, well known Hindko writer, poet and research scholar, Muhammad Ziauddin and broadcaster Ahmad Nadeem Awan. They spoke about the life and literary contributions of Aftab Iqbal Bano to the Hindko language and literature.
Muhammad Ziauddin said that women have a central role to play in any society, adding they have a definite responsibility in the social development. He said Aftab Iqbal Bano was a daughter of the soil who has made immense contributions to the enrichment of the Hindko language and literature. He mentioned the publications by the woman author and termed them worth reading.
Attiq Ahmad Siddiqi said a society like ours cannot prosper if half of its population-women-is confined to homes. He said women will have to come forward as well to for the promotion of the Hindko language.
Talking of the style of writing of Aftab Iqbal Bano, the New York-based telecaster said that the woman writer has highlighted various aspects of the human life in her fictions and championed the women rights.
Aftab Iqbal Bano in her address said that she was feeling so happy that her books and literary efforts had been acknowledged at this graceful function arranged at her native city.
"I am elated at the honour bestowed on me by the Gandhara Hindko Academy and Gandhara Hindko Board through this function," she added.