SWABI, Nov 11: Art, culture and history have kept the identity and values of nations alive and no one can deny the importance of the three fields and their interconnectivity with each other.

This was stated by experts while speaking about Rohal Amin Yousufzai`s new book `Art, culture and history` here on Monday.

It was the fifth book of Mr Yousufzai. His first book was written in Urdu and the other in Pashto.

According to the author, the main objective to write book in Urdu was to reach nonPakhtun communities and provide them with an opportunityto learn about the rich culture of Pakhtuns, who, he said, have wrongly been dubbed as terrorists and religious fundamentalists.

`In fact, Pakhtuns have been a victim of terrorism.

Various invaders have attacked their land several times in the past,` he said.

The speakers said various 10cal games had been discussed in a very tactful and attractive way, using the simple language.

They said a number of games played by Pakhtuns in past had been forgotten but the book would help revive them and that it was the responsibility of the culture andtourism department and the government to take corrective steps in this respect.

Professor Izhar said there was a dire need for writing a book on Pakhtun culture, art and history in the prevailing circumstances and the author deserved praise for fulfilling the expectations and demand of the Pakhtun intelligentsia.

`Pve read it completely.

However, my thirst has not quenched and my inner feelings are compelling me to read it again,` he said.

Professor Izhar said if the book was translated in English, it would earn the writer international dimension and that he hoped that cultureand tourism department would come forward for it.

Poet and writer Anwar Menirwal appreciated the inclusion of Pashto poetry of noted poets in the book in a very skilful way.

He said the selection of poetry and its placing in the writing at prominent place and colouring the same in culture values was a highly skilled work.

`The touch of history is very interesting and we came to know about various facts after reading the book,` he said.

He said the book had yet to hit the market but the name of the writer and his previous remarkable works had forced the people to place orders forit.

Writer Mohammad Jamil said a few Pakhtuns had written books in other languages and that was the main reason that Pakhtun culture and social values had not been understood by outsiders and the foreigners believed what had been told by the `enemies` He said the book suggested Pakhtuns were not warriors but they are forced by circumstances to fight for independence and values.

`No doubt, Pakhtuns have been divided and weakened through a well-calculated strategy by the British colonials for prolonging their rule in the subcontinent,` he said.