PESHAWAR - Speakers at 'Hindko Literary and Cultural Conference' arranged in Kohat have urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to expedite work on Hindko curriculum development and implement an earlier decision of introducing the teaching of Hindko at primary level along with four other native languages.
The demand was made through a resolution passed at the one-day conference, which was organised in collaboration with a Peshawar-based literary, cultural and social welfare organisation, Gandhara Hindko Board.
Prof Iqbal Paracha, a senior Hindko writer and poet, presided over the moot which was first of its kind in the southern Kohat district. MNA Sheharyar Afridi was the chief guest on the occasion, while MPA Ziaullah Bangash was the guest of honour.
MNA Sheharyar Afridi and MPA Ziaullah Bangash in their speeches said indigenous languages and cultures were among the noteworthy features of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Addressing the audience in Hindko language, the legislators said efforts are being made for preservation and promotion of native languages.
The first session of the conference was devoted to research-based papers reading. Muhammad Jan Atif, Shujaat Ali Rahi, Ahmad Paracha, Masoom Shah Masoom, Professor Iqbal Paracha and others threw light on the importance of Hindko language, which is spoken by a considerable population of the Kohat like other districts of the province.
The second session of the moot was reserved for folk music. The artists from Kohat and Peshawar performed on the occasion and won appreciation.
There was a poetry recital in the third session. Apart from local poets, those from Peshawar also read out pieces of poetry to the audience.