Speakers blame intolerance, illiteracy for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa unrest

Speakers at a peace conference highlighted the main causes of the growing unrest at Pakhtun soil, saying that intolerance, absence of cultural norms, and illiteracy are the major factors behind the turmoil. The conference titled 'Peace and Pashtuns' was held under the aegis of Department of Pashto, University of Peshawar, here on Tuesday.
The speakers said that peace is becoming a global challenge but the big powers are not sincere for its establishment. They criticised the western media for negative propaganda against Pashtuns and their soil, and described that the reports are spoiling the image of Pakhtuns in the world.
"Pashtuns are peace loving people and believe in mutual harmony, said Aseer Mangal. He said inequality, absence of dialogue are the factors behind poor image of Pashtuns in the world, especially facing enormous problems. Addressing the seminar, Professor Dr Azmat Hayat, vice chancellor, University of Peshawar as chief guest underlined the need for strengthening Pashto language and literature, saying that the languages would keep the nation alive. He said that the worlds want to know about us, but we are unable to present good work done by our forefathers, which was narrated and translated in different languages.
"We are passing through transition period, he maintained. He emphasised for formation of a national policy based on mutual co-operation, positive forward looking approach and keeping strategic relations with countries on mutual respect and interests to overcome with the growing challenges and problems. Earlier, Professor Islam Gohar in his welcome address to the participants described the importance of the seminar.