The launching ceremony of "Urdu Zuban Ka Makhaz Hindko", a research based book by Professor Khatir Ghaznavi was held on Monday.
NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah was the chief guest at the function, organised by the Gandhara Hindko Board here at the Nishter Hall, Peshawar.
National Language Authority Chairman Professor Fateh Mohammad Malik presided over the function.
The speakers included Dr Gohar Noshahi, Dr Siddique Shibli, Professor Dr Zahoor Ahmad Awan, Professor Dr Sabir Kalorvi and MPA Mohtarma Riffat Akbar Swati.
The programme started with recitation from the Holy Quran by Shamshad Ahmad Advocate. Dr Salahuddin conducted the proceedings.
General-Secretary of the Gandhara Hindko Board Mohammad Ziauddin presented the address of welcome and highlighted the achievements made by his literary-cum-cultural organisation in the last one decade.
He sought official patronage for the Hindko language which was the second largely-spoken language of the province.
Zia demanded of the government to set up a department for Hindko Studies and Hindko Cultural Complex in Peshawar so that the work for the preservation and promotion of the language is carried out in scientific ways.
Presiding over the function, Chairman of the National Language Authority, praised the author of the Khatir Ghaznavi for his literary works and asked the chancellor of the Peshawar University to award him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his services in the field of literature.
Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah assured of steps for promotion of Hindko language, and exhorted the Gandhara Hindko Board and all other Hindko literary bodies to expedite efforts for the speedy literary growth of the ancient language.
Anwer Khan Awan and Professor Fateh Mohammad Malik presented sets of Hindko and Urdu books to the Governor.