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PESHAWAR, Nov 14 (APP):The third edition of the Peshawar Women literature festival concluded on Friday with an inspiring closing ceremony at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU).
Organized in collaboration with the Dosti Welfare Organization, this year’s festival, themed (New Hope) celebrated the creative, cultural, and intellectual contributions of women across the region.
The week-long festival, held from November 10 to 14, featured workshops, poetry recitals, Mushairas, panel discussions, cultural performances, exhibitions, and sessions on literature, cultural heritage, eco-literature, women in STEM & AI, mental health, and financial independence.
Parallel sessions were conducted at multiple university venues and affiliated colleges, while an art exhibition at Nishtar Hall extended the festival’s reach city-wide.
The closing ceremony at the University Catering Hall was attended by Prof. Dr. Safia Ahmad (T.I), Vice Chancellor of SBBWU, Bushra Farukh as Chief Guest, and Murad as Guest of Honor, along with other distinguished guests including Dr. Ali Mufti, Dr. Sameer Raza, Dr. Rafiq Khan Mohmand, Bakht Zada Danish, and Muhammad Raffique Khan Mohmand.
The event began with a tree plantation ceremony, followed by a recitation from the Holy Quran and the National Anthem. Prof. Dr. Safia Ahmad welcomed the guests, highlighting the festival’s role in empowering women’s voices and fostering literary and intellectual discourse.
She expressed gratitude to the Dosti Welfare Organization, sponsors, and the SBBWU team, particularly Dr. Hamida Bibi, Tashfeen Zia, and representatives from Dosti Foundation, Ijaz, Hamza, and Aslam Mir.
The program included a keynote speech by Prof. Shaheen Umar, a book launch ceremony, a cultural segment titled “Showcasing the Beauty of the Big Day Dream in our Culture,” and a poetry recital by Muhraram Bakht Zada Danish. A screening of the Dosti Documentary highlighted the collaborative efforts behind the festival.
In her remarks, Prof. Dr. Safia Ahmad commended the university and organizers for promoting women’s literature and cultural initiatives.
The guests lauded the festival, emphasizing the government’s support for programs that empower women and foster social progress. Jawad Amin and other attendees also praised the festival’s contribution to promoting literary and cultural activities.
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of shields and souvenirs to honor the guests, organizers, and contributors, marking the successful close of the third Peshawar women literature festival.