PESHAWAR: Speakers at a literary function here on Sunday paid glowing tributes to legendary fiction writer and broadcaster Zaitoon Bano, terming her the first lady of Pashto fiction and a strong voice of womenfolk, who broke social barriers to give narrative expression to the silent struggles, resilience, and dignity of Pakhtun women.
The function was arranged by Peshawarians Literary Society (PLS) at a local college to mark the fifth death anniversary of Zaitoon Bano (1938-2021).
Addressing the function as chief guest, Prof Afsha Bano, the daughter of Zaitoon Bano and vice-principal of Peshawar Public School and College, said that her mother was a true beacon of light, who transformed numerous souls through her inspirational writings, broadcast work and lifelong commitment to social enlightenment.
The commemorative event was organised to honour her monumental contributions to Pashto and Urdu literature, drawing a large number of students, scholars and literary enthusiasts from across the provincial capital.
Speakers laud the writer for breaking social barriers to give voice to women
A central highlight of the gathering was the active participation of young scholars, including Salman Haider, Raza Gilani, Shazia Roman and Bilqees Trannum, who read out selected quotes, critical excerpts and reflections from leading literary figures, including renowned Prof Abaseen Yousafzai, Bushra Farrukh and Prof Salma Shaheen. The audience warmly appreciated the young readers for effectively presenting the intellectual weight of these literary heavyweights.
Although senior intellectuals could not attend the function in person due to prior commitments, their insights, delivered through the young scholars’ well-prepared presentations, underscored Zaitoon Bano’s trailblazing role in bringing realism and gender consciousness into mainstream Pashto fiction. The literary discourse demonstrated how her narrative craft continued to resonate deeply with younger generations of readers and aspiring researchers.
Through recitations by Salman Haider and Raza Gilani, Prof Abaseen Yousafzai’s commentary highlighted that Zaitoon Bano was not merely a teller of tales, but a bold social reformer whose pen consistently challenged regressive traditions while upholding the nobility of Pakhtun culture. His quotes focused on her unique ability to portray complex societal dynamics with rare sensitivity and artistic perfection.
Excerpts presented by Shazia Roman focused on Bushra Farrukh’s reflections regarding Bano’s enduring legacy at Radio Pakistan, noting how her dramatic works, radio plays, and broadcast scripts paved the way for generations of female communicators, playwrights and literary voices across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Farrukh’s commentary noted that Bano’s powerful scripts gave confidence to women to claim space in public media.
Quotes presented by Bilqees Trannum from Prof Salma Shaheen’s academic work emphasised Bano’s mastery over regional folklore and her rare ability to capture the authentic idiom of women’s lived experiences. The critical evaluation noted that Bano enriched Pashto prose by integrating domestic folk expressions into structured literary fiction, preserving intangible cultural heritage for posterity.
Other speakers said that Zaitoon Bano’s prolific creative journey, spanning several decades, produced ground-breaking short story collections and television plays that remained benchmarks in Pashto literature. They emphasised that her literary courage opened new pathways for women writers across the region.
Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026
