- Afrasiab calls Pakhtuns real custodian of rich Ghandhara civilisation
PESHAWAR: The 30th death anniversary of Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Bacha Khan) and the 12th one of Abdul Wali Khan commemorated here at the Bacha Khan Markaz in the provincial capital on Saturday.
Along with the political leadership of the Awami National Party (ANP), people of different school of thoughts gathered to pay tribute to both the nationalist leaders. The Bacha Khan Markaz was decorated with huge banners of both the leaders.
Theme of all the activities, including poetry, drama, paintings competition and quiz, were encircled the philosophy, teaching and struggle of the late Bacha Khan. On the day, Edward College students performed drama with the theme of pluralism and peaceful coexistence in the country as well as in the region.
On the occasion, ANP leader Afrasiab Khattak asked the masses to convey Bacha Khan’s messages and philosophy to young people. “We are custodian of Ghandhara civilisation, and we were the people who had taught to the world,” he said while citing historical links of the region. He said that Bacha Khan wanted a modern and educated society.
He told the gathering that a peaceful subcontinent including Afghanistan was a dream of Bacha Khan because he was well aware of the historical trade route which connects South Asia to Central Asia. The Dust on Books organisation also arranged a book stall and Bacha School student exhibited hand craft items for a public interest.
In his speech, ANP General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain asked the students and youth to remember their heroes. He said that Bacha Khan started his struggle for a developed and prosperous society. “Free thinking and freedom of expression were the foundations of Bacha Khan’s philosophy,” he said.
Addressing on the occasion, ANP Deputy General Secretary Aimal Khan emphasised on understanding Bacha Khan’s philosophy of non-violence. “In the time of conflict, it’s more important than previous times for Pakistani nation to follow Bacha Khan’s ideas,” he said, adding that everlasting peace and greater progress were in the peaceful relation with the neighbours and unity among the nations.
Bacha Khan started his struggle against the stereotypes and had remained evangelist of progressive and educated society. At the beginning, Bacha Khan was only a reformist but later he with few others formed Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God) or Red Shirts organisation. The idea of this organisation was to resolve family disputes.
Later, the Red Shirt social activism converted in political struggle and fought long political war against the British Raj. Bacha Khan was staunch supporter of a United India although in the first Constituent Assembly, he (Bacha Khan) announced Pakistan as his and his colleagues’ country. Former lawmaker Jamila Gilani also paid a homage to Bacha Khan as a non-violence messenger.