PESHAWAR: The Afghan government on Tuesday announced the country`s most prestigious award, Mir Bacha Khan Milli Award, for Pashto Ghazal maestro Ustad Khial Mohammad, the first outside the country to receive it.

Afghan Ambassador Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal was to attend the event organised in Nishtar Hall here for the purpose but he couldn`t show up due to blockade of roads.

In his place, Afghan consul general in Peshawar Dr Abdullah Waheed Pohan made the announcement.

The event was organised by the PakAfghan Journalists` Peace Forum.

Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, who was the chief guest on the occasion, appreciated the contributions of Ustad Khial Mohammad to Pashto music.

He said he had enjoyed the velvety voice of Ustad Khial Mohammad a lot during his college days.

`This Ghazal maestro has rendered invaluable contributions to Pashto music and introduced new trends in Pashto folk singing.

He has the same status in Pashto music as late Ustad Mehdi Hassan has in Urdu.

Our land and people should feel proud to be blessed with Ustad Khial Mohammad, who has devoted his entire life to Pashto music,` he said.

The Afghan consul general said Ustad Khial Mohammad had impacted a host of folk singers and even the style of Pashto singing.

He read out the message of Afghan president Dr Ashraf Ghani praising the `unflinching services` of Khial Mohammad.

Besides announcing the Mir Bacha Ali Khan Award on behalf of Afghan`s presi-dent, the consul general also gave away a cheque of Rs150, 000 from the Afghan culture department.

ANP central leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain said literati, artistes and performers could play a vital role in bringing peace in the restive region.

He said Ustad Khial had contributed not only to Pashto music but also to the art of singing.

`Ustad Khial`s contributions to Pashto music are huge and young artistes should learn from his experiences. Khial Mohammad is our sole identity,` he said.In brief remarks, Ustad Khial said Pakhtuns whether living in Pakistan and Afghanistan had always loved and honoured him and that he would never forget that.

He said Pakhtun art and culture had suffered a lot over the years but he would continue serving it despite all odds.

Among scores of music lovers in attendance were provincial minister Amjad Afridi.

Delegations from parts of KP, Fata, Quetta, Karachi and Afghanistan also showed up.Artistes Mahjabeen Qazalbash and Zarsanga Bibi presented bouquets to the Ghazal maestro.

The event organisers presented a cheque of Rs500,000 to Ustad Khial Mohammad on behalf of the Peshawar district government, while the Red Crescent Society Palcistan Fata also gave away the `humanity peace award` to him.

The governor later performed the `coronation` of the ghazal maestro amid standing ovation by the audience.

There followed the screening of a short film on the life and work of Ustad Khial.