Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Afghanistan President, Muhammad Ashraf Ghani, has conferred the “Mir Bacha Khan” medal, Afghanistan’s highest civilian award to the legendary Pushto singer, Ustad Khayal Muhammad for his 40-year service to Pushto music.

The medal was handed over to Ustad Khayal Muhammad by the Consul General, Dr Abdullah Waheed Poyan, at a prestigious ceremony at the Afghan Consulate General in Peshawar on Thursday. The event was attended by a large number of participants including representatives of the Iranian Consulate General Peshawar, UNHCR, ruling PTI, QWP and Awami National Party (ANP) workers, journalists, singers, poets and writers from Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Consul General, Dr Waheed Poyan, welcomed the guests before reading out a statement by the Afghan President to the audience.

Dr Poyan said that his country recognised the services of the 70-year old singer who, he said, was a “King of Ghazal, Folk and Modern Pushto music”. Dr Poyan revealed that it was the first time in the history of Afghanistan that the said award was given to someone during their lifetime. “Ustad Khayal has remained a favourite of almost every Pushto music lover. I am honoured to present him with the “Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan” award that President Ashraf Ghani bestowed to the legendary singer on November 1,” he said.