Pashto fiction book ‘Tash Laasuna’ launched

PESHAWAR: Speakers on Sunday termed the fiction book ‘Tash Laasuna’ a good addition to the prose-starved Pashto literature and hoped that more literati would come forward and pen down such a valuable work.

Shedding light on various aspects of the newly-published Pashto collection of short stories, they appreciated writer Shaheen Amin for the choice of topics, style and critical portrayal of all the issues showcased in the stories.

“Shaheen Amin enlisted her name among the topmost fictionists, who had devoted her to a true depiction of society’s image,” they opined.

The ‘Tash Laasuna’ (Empty hands) was launch at a ceremony arranged under the banner of China Window here, where poets, writers and literary critics attended the event.

Naz Pervin, noted Urdu writer and host of the China Window in her opening remarks said that ‘China Cultural Centre’, not only promoted Chinese art, history and culture but also worked for uplifting the local cultural and linguistic diversity.

“Cultural and literary events on a variety of topics including poetry recitals, and book unveiling are arranged at the China Window every now and then and the book-launch ceremony of Shaheen Amin, a noted Pashto poet and fiction writer is an ample proof,” Pervin remarked.

Prof Dr Gulzar Jalal Yousafzai, who was chief guest at the event, dwelt on three phases of Pashto fiction.

He said the style of expression and the treatment of every single story in the context of societal issues could best place the stories of ‘Tash Laasuna’ on the highest podium of literary pieces

Attiya Hidayatullah, another writer remarked that ‘Shaheen Amin’s stories served as representation of real-life characters drawn from our own society. It is in fact, she added, was a very fine commentary on the plights of women and the author should be credited for her creative strength of storytelling art.

Poet and rights activist Dr Roshan Kalim while sharing views said the new collection of Pashto short stories crafted image of our society and the author deserved our kudos.

Senior Pashto writer Samina Qadir, noted anchorperson Khaista Rahman and social media influencer Afsar Afghan also spoke at the event.