By Bureau Reporter, *Peace Mela mirrors ‘true face of Pakhtuns’ - The News International - Karachi, PakistanWednesday, January 27, 2010
Peshawar: Dancing Attan — a traditional Pakhtun dance — at the lone five-star hotel of the city on Tuesday, the performers gave a loud message that Peshawar was coming out of the fear of militants, who had literally paralyzed the provincial capital for the last many months through their most lethal weapon — the suicide bombings.
The drumbeat sound entertained the audience and the glow of joy could easily be seen on their faces, pointing to the days when Peshawar used to be the hub of cultural activities.
The programme was part of the ‘Peace Mela: The True Face of NWFP’ held under the aegis of Aurat Foundation (AF) at the Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel, which still bears the signs of the massive car-bombing that badly damaged a portion of the hotel, leading the administration of the hotel to close it down.
Reopening of the PC to host the guests on January 1 was itself a welcoming sign for Peshawarites.
“The prime objective of this fair is to show the world the true face of our province,” Ms Saima Muneer of the AF said.
Noted educationist Yar Muhammad Maghmoom said all Pakhtuns were peace-loving people, which was evident from the fact that poetry of Sufi poet Abdur Rahman Baba, known as the poet of humanity, had become a household term for Afghans all over the region.
The educationalist added that Pakhtuns were tolerant and accommodative people but they could not accept the meddling of alien forces on their soil.
NWFP Minister for Education Sardar Hussain Babak said holding of such events would help spread smiles on the faces of militancy-hit people of the Frontier province.
He referred to the sacrifices rendered by the Awami National Party and common people of the province in recent wave of terrorism in the province, showing his resolve that every worker of ANP was ready to sacrifice his life for restoring peace and bringing stability to the NWFP.
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