Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Participants at a peace festival have stressed the need of promoting diverse local culture and languages for establishment of sustainable peace and development in the country. They also called to forge unity among all people speaking different languages, to nurture a peaceful and prosperous society.

The speakers were of the view that culture of tolerance continues to elude in the society, which has ultimately created chaos and disagreements among people speaking different languages. They went on to say that some forces are indulged to divide the people on ethnic and linguistic basis,

The cultural festival on themed: “Peace for development of tolerance society and social cohesion”, organised by Umar Asghar Khan Foundation, a civil society organization at press club on Thursday.

Besides, the organization executive director, Ms Rashid Dohad and other officials, People including women, children, from district Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Hazara division and other towns participated in the festival in a great number. On the occasion, poets, singers and musicians of Urdu, Hindko, and Pashto languages enthralled the audience during their performance.

A number of stalls were being set up on lush green lawns of Peshawar Press Club, where handmade outfits of women entrepreneurs displayed along with other traditional stuffs.

On the occasion, performers presenting theater also drew attention a large crowd regarding the promotion of rich diverse culture and traditions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Whereas a dozen poets presented their poems, latest poetry in local as well as Urdu languages and received huge plaudit from the audience.

A number of people, mostly youth, appreciated the efforts and stressed the need for arranging such events frequently to create harmony among the people and counter extremism and sectarian discord in the region. While highlighting the objective of peace festival, Ms Rashida Dohad said the uncertainty has rooted in the country, like a cancer, which should be eliminated by forging unity and promotion of diverse culture.

She appreciated the government steps for establishment of peace in the country, like National Action Plan and security forces ongoing operations “Zarb-i-Azb” in tribal region. She, however, said it was not enough to bring durable and sustainable peace in the country, then government should take further measures, she asked. Dohad said the behavior and mindset changes are vital for promotion of tolerant and peaceful society. She said some people want to create hatred among people speaking different languages and they are trying to divide them on ethnic and linguistic basis, she added. She said culture, art and music are our rich legacy, which should be promoted for peace building.