PESHAWAR: Prominent Pashto poets from different parts of the province and tribalareas attended a poetry recitalsession at Edwardes College, Peshawar on Tuesday and kept the audience spellbound by presenting thought provoking poems.

Rahmat Shah Sail, a senior progressive Pashto poet, chaired the poetry recital session, which was attended by 50 prominent Pashto poets from Malakand, Swat, Dir, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bannu , Bajaur and Khyber agencies.

The haikus, poems and ghazals the poets read out on the occasion were reflective of their critical comment on the current situation in the country. Most poets focused on love, peace and tolerance in their writings.

Prof Samiuddin Arman conducted the poetry session.

Aseer Mangal, Aziz Manirwaal, Dr Izharullah, Shakeel Nayyab, Hanif Qais, Iqbal Shakir, Salim Bangash, ZahidullahZiar and Faizul Wahab Faiz were among the noted poets. However, as usual Zafar Khan Zafar stole the show through his comic haikus and parodies.

Addressing on the occasion, Rahmat Shah Sail said that Pashto poets had always highlighted and versified issues of common people.

Abaseen Yousafzai, another noted poet, demanded of the provincial government to set up Pashto departments in government colleges of the province.

Provincial Finance Minister Muzafar Said, who was chief guest at the function, called upon students to indulge in positive and healthy activities to secure a bright future and bring laurels to country at large.

The annual function of Pashto mushaira and musical concert was conducted by Edwardes College, Pashto Literary Society (PLS).

The minister announced a donation of Rs200, 000 for the welfare of the society.

Dr Nayyar Firdous, principal of the college, while praising students` involvement in literary and cultural activities said thatalthough he did not know Pashto language yet he enjoyed every single moment during his stay at the event.

The poetry session was followed by Pashto musical concert. Rashid Khan ayoung amateur singer and senior artist Almas Khan Khalil enthralled the audience with their velvety voices. The 8-member traditional Pashto orchestra made enthusiastic Edwardians to dance.