Ghani Khan be introduced to world: Karzai

KABUL poet, preached humanity and love while seeking an end to tyranny and ignorance through his poetry.

On a par with contemporary Amir Hamza Shinwari, Ghani Khan (1914–1996) is widely considered one of the best Pashtu poets of the 20th century. He was a son of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and older brother of Khan Abdul Wali Khan.

President Karzai inaugurated a two-day education Radio and Television (RTA) Kabul Centre.

In reference to the poetry and struggle of Ghani Khan, Karzai said the environment in which he was brought up had a deep effect on his work.

“His philosophy and perceptions, emotions, thoughts, love for beauty and life, all were influenced by a unique environment that had all the factors necessary for a poet, critic, writer and emotional.”

Humanity, education and end to atrocities and violence were the hopes of Ghani Khan, for which he had been put behind bars, Karzai said. He added Ghani Khan was a great poet and had a huge right over his land, a right he had not been given completely.

Karzai said Ghani Khan should have been widely introduced to the world and the region but the entire world.” Karzai also recited some verses from Ghani Khan’s poetry.

Pakistan’s Awami National Party (ANP) central leader Afzal Khan Lala told the seminar he did not consider himself as a guest in Afghanistan. “When I am in Afghanistan and particularly in Kabul, I feel I am home. I don’t consider myself as a guest when in Afghanistan.”

Information and Culture Minister Dr. Makhdoom Rahim said it had been decided to name an area in Kabul after Ghani Khan in recognition of his services to Pashto literature.

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