PROVINCE REPORT
SWAT : A ceremony honoring renowned poet, fiction writer, novelist, translator and teacher Kulsoom Zaib was held at the spacious green lawn of SPS School/College, Swat, jointly organized by the Global Literary Forum and Naway Zindagi Relief Center.
The event was attended by poets, writers, intellectuals, journalists, lawyers, political and social figures, as well as a large number of women writers and poets from different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Participants paid tribute to Kulsoom Zaib for her contribution to Urdu and Pashto literature and her efforts to promote women’s participation in literary activities.
The ceremony was presided over by renowned poet Rahmat Shah Sail, while noted Pashto literary scholar Noor-ul-Amin Yousafzai was the chief guest. Ruh-ul-Amin Nayab, president of the Global Literary Forum, hosted the event, while Riaz Ahmad Hairan played a key role in organizing and conducting the ceremony. ANP district president and former MPA Sher Shah Khan and other distinguished personalities also attended.
Noor-ul-Amin Yousafzai spoke in detail about Kulsoom Zaib’s literary journey, education, family background, poetry, fiction, novels and prose in Urdu and Pashto. He particularly highlighted her efforts to create opportunities for women and young girls in literature. He also acknowledged the support of her husband, Anwar Zaib, in her literary journey.
Speakers including Nawaz Yousafzai, Bakht Zada Danish, Muhammad Parvez Shaheen and others praised her services. Poet Zafar Ali Naz presented a special poem in her honor in his melodious voice, receiving appreciation from the audience. Rahmat Shah Sail also praised her for helping create literary opportunities for many Pashtun women and girls.
Members of Khwendo Lashkar also participated actively. Dr. Farzana Rasool Sanam, Sajida Maqbool Tanha, Nighat Rasool Nayab, Zeba Afridi, Seema Afridi, Brekhna Shehzad, Rimsha Khan Swati, Rna Atman Khela, Naz Tanha, Maryam Khan, Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, Naseem Mandokhail, Aizaz Sultana, Syeda Sadaf Ara, Gul Baji and Shazma Haleem, among others, presented poems and shared their impressions.
In her address, Kulsoom Zaib thanked the organizers, guests and people of Swat for honoring her work. She encouraged young people, particularly girls, to believe in their abilities, pursue education and literature, respect their families’ trust, and maintain dignity while striving for success in both religious and worldly life.
The ceremony concluded before the evening prayer. Shields, awards and certificates were presented to the participants and guests. The event served as a tribute not only to Kulsoom Zaib’s literary achievements but also to the growing role of women in the literary and cultural life of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
