Daily Times

KHYBER AGENCY: Visitors to the shrine of Pashto poet Amir Humza Khan Shinwari during Eid holidays were left disgruntled on finding the site closed for public over security reasons.

Some of them had come with their families from Peshawar to pay homage to the great 20th-century poet considered Baba-e-Ghazal by the Pukhton community.

They said that the shrine was closed down five months ago, complaining that the government did not seem interested in reviewing security arrangements and re-opening the memorial in a timely manner.

Abdullah, who had came to the shrine with his family from Peshawar, said that Humza Baba’s shrine was among the list of historical places he had wanted to visit with his family while in Landi Kotal. “I brought them to visit Torkham border, Michni Checkpoint and Hamza Baba’s mazaar. They were quite disappointed on finding the mazaar closed for public,” he said.

Hasan Ali, a resident of Sheikhmal Khel area, recalled that the shrine had once served as a site for poetry recital sessions organised by poetry enthusiasts from surrounding areas. “I was a regular participant at these sessions. It is sad that the tradition has been discontinued,” he said. Those sessions used to provide a great opportunity to youngsters with an interest in poetry to come together and discuss their ideas, he said.

A library named after the poet has also been closed down for security purposes.

Ali said the library was a one of its kind facility in the area.

“It is sad that the government is taking so much time to review security measures and re-open the shrine and the library,” he said.

Ali and others demanded that the government ensure foolproof security at the shrine and re-open it for the public without further delay.

Dr. Kaleem, a relative of Hamza Baba, told Daily Times that the shrine had been shut down over security threats. “If security situation has improved in the area, the administration should not delay the re-opening of the shrine for general public,” he said.

Amir Hamza Shinwari was born in Landi Kotal in 1907. He is best known for his ghazals that blend classical and modern forms and explore multiple themes pertaining to Pushto nationalism among others. He died in February 1994.

Published in Daily Times, July 4^th , 2017.