Payment of pending salary to Moomand´s family sought
[01.Nov.2010 - 21:24]By Sher Alam Shinwari
PESHAWAR:KWN, Fans and followers of the renowned Pashto poet, playwright, critic and research scholar Qalandar Moomand (1930-2003) have demanded of the provincial government to release the pending pay to the legendary poet´s family and also make arrangements for publication of his valuable works. Saleem Raz, senior Pashto writer and member of the Board of Governors (BoG) of Pakistan Academy of Letters Islamabad (PAL) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while talking to this scribe has demanded of the Chairman PAL Fakhar Zaman to issue monthly stipend and post- life insurance to the widow of Qalandar Moomand adding that the latter had immensely contributed to Pashto language and literature. Qalandar Moomand was a life long fellow of the PAL, Raz informed.
´´Being a conscientious man of letters he asked for official perks and incentives neither for himself nor for his family members. He used to live at a rented house in Peshawar and suffered rigorous imprisonment for freedom of press and expression and rights of the down trodden. He was terminated from government service on wrong charges; despite his hectic job at the ´Pashto dictionary Cell ´ he was not given pension facility which was his due right while other employees working with him were accommodated in various government departments,” Raz maintained.
He said it was strange enough to know years after death of Qalandar Moomand that the then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education department denied him payment of more than two year´s salary on completion of the Pashto dictionary project ´Daryab´ without any reason. Raz added that Qalandar Moomand had started work on Pashto dictionary since 1950 but it was officially launched in 1992 and completed in 1995. He worked as consultant in BPS -19 since March 18, 1992 till June 30, 1995 vide Notification No C.P.O.(SOI).3-4/PF. Prof. Dr.Rajwali Shah Khattak director of ´Centre of Pashto Language and Literature´ University of Peshawar said: ´´His literary and research works should be translated into English and other modern European languages as it contained universal message”.
´He was multifaceted literati, therefore, substantive research needed to be conducted on various aspects of life and works,´ Rajwali Shah suggested. Zalan Moomand son of Qalandar Moomand told that he had brought out three books of his father posthumously, the Qalandar Moomand Research Cell (QRC) had become dysfunctional due to lack of funds. ´´Whatever I had I spent on the publication books, nobody extended any financial support to me to continue my research on Qalandar Moomand´s works. I have his letters, English Essays, Critical prefaces, columns, memoirs, and an incomplete dictionary of English to Pashto which are still unpublished, also some of his published works though I am not sure it are out of print.”
´´The PAL resident director had given me a cheque of Rs. 20000 which I had cashed out posthumously. I have not received even a single penny from any government body nor have I asked for it following the traditions of my legendary father.´ Zalan pointed out. It is pertinent to mention that Qalandar Moomand was a close companion of Bacha Khan and during his youth had rendered many sacrifices for the ANP; he had even framed its party manifesto. Later he devoted himself to serve literary, journalistic and research pursuits. Prof Abaseen Yousafzai chairman Pashto department Islamia College University (ICPU) said, it was shameful that a great literary giant was kept depriving of his due right despite elapse of many years maintaining that the sitting government should look into the matter and not only release his pending pay but also re-publish Qalandar Moomand´works and reactivate Qalandar Moomand Research Cell forthwith. 29.10.10
Late Qalandar Moomand
بېرته شاته
Late Qalandar Moomand بېرته شاته