ISLAMABAD: Writers and poets are the eyes and minds of the nation, therefore they must play their due roles for the development and prosperity of the tribal region as well. This was told by Professor Abaseen Yousafzai while addressing the occasion of the book launching ceremony of a local poet Ghulam Hussain Mohib at the Mohmand Press Club on Thursday. Stage responsibility was performed by Mohib Ali Mohib, while Assistant Political Agent (APA) Sher Alam Khan, Political Tehsildar Salman Kundi, Education former assistant agency officer Dast Ali Khan Hairan Mohmand of Mohmand Adabi Tolana (MAT), Ghulam Hussain Mohib of Mohmand Adabi Ghuncha (MAG) and others local writers were also in attendance. He said that writers were the keepers of culture. Abaseen Yousafzai urged youth to learn their own Pashto language along with other languages like English, Chinese etc. He said that those nations are developed in the world that have developed their local languages. He urged local writers to work hard for a bright future of Pashtun in the tribal region. Addressing on the occasion, APA Sher Alam said that writers play a main role in the development and awareness of society. Poets can play positive roles towards restoring peace and prosperity in the region and they can also promote culture and develop the society in the area. He said that there were no book reading habits in our society, therefore writers must create awareness among the society regarding book reading. MAG President Ghulam Hussain Mohib thanked the guests and all the local writers who participated in the book launching ceremony. MAT President Hairan Mohmand presented some resolutions on the occasion. Hairan Mohmand said that Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Secretariat is not sincere in taking basic steps for the welfare of tribal writers. He thanked the Academy of Letters, Islamabad who sanctioned monthly stipend for five local writers from Mohmand tribal region. Hairan said that the local administration should set up a writers club and a library where local writers could gather for study and other activities. He said that the local administration should compensate those local writers who want to publish their literary collections. Hairan also demanded that the local administration should enhance the monthly grant for local writers. They told that interestingly FATA Secretariat is spending millions of rupees in the name of culture but FATA writers were totally neglected in Mohmand. Published in Daily Times, April 20th 2018.