The World Pashto Jirga has called on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to take concrete measures for the promotion of Pashto and other regional languages and cultures, urging it to prioritise indigenous linguistic and cultural heritage in its policy framework. The demand was made during a high-level meeting of the organisation held in Peshawar on Thursday, with Chairman Prof Aseer Mangal presiding. Patron-in-Chief Zubair Khan, Deputy Secretary Dr Alam Khan Yousafzai and other members also attended.
Concerns Over Government Inattention
Participants expressed concern over what they described as the government’s inadequate attention to Pashto, Hindko, Saraiki, Khowar and other regional languages, as well as local cultural traditions, literature and arts. They argued that successive years had passed without the formulation of a comprehensive policy aimed at strengthening indigenous languages and cultural institutions.
Call for Dedicated Commission
The meeting also criticised what participants termed a lack of meaningful support for poets, writers, actors, musicians and intellectuals associated with regional languages. According to the speakers, many literary figures are facing financial difficulties and struggling to publish books and other creative works despite making significant personal contributions to literature and culture. The Jirga called for the establishment of a dedicated commission to provide financial assistance and institutional support to writers, artists and cultural practitioners. It proposed that representatives of Pashto, Hindko, Gujri, Saraiki and Khowar-speaking communities be included in the body to ensure broad-based representation.
Demand for Writers' House and Stipends
Participants further voiced concern over what they described as government support for foreign-language and cultural initiatives while longstanding demands for facilities for local writers remained unaddressed. In particular, they renewed their call for the establishment of a central Writers’ House in Peshawar, alongside similar facilities at the district level across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The meeting also urged the government to introduce permanent stipends and welfare programmes for financially struggling poets, writers, singers, musicians and other artists.
Resolution and Next Steps
In a resolution adopted unanimously, the Jirga called upon the provincial government to accord greater priority to the preservation and promotion of regional languages, literature, culture and the arts. Participants resolved to seek meetings with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the provincial minister for culture, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and other senior officials in the coming days to press for the implementation of their proposals.
