BAJAUR: The first Bajaur Literature Festival attracted poets and writers from different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on on Tuesday. The festival, organised jointly by the district administration and the culture and youth affairs department’s local office, was held at Jirga Hall in Civil Colony, Khar. The day-long event featured poetry recitations and panel discussions. Scores of local poets, writers, literary figures and youth were in attendance. A number of poets and writers from different parts of the province also participated in the festival, which was chaired by noted poet and writer Prof Iqbal Shakir of Malakand district. Opening the festival, district youth officer Fawad Ahmad told the participants that the event was aimed at promoting peace and harmony in the region. He said the festival also provided a platform to the participants to discuss the issues local poets and writers were facing and to provide them a platform to present their pieces. During the panel discussion, the participants highlighted the problems poets and writers were facing in getting their works published. The panelists noted that there were scores of poets and writers in the district, who wished to publish their books on different topics, especially local culture and traditions, peace, harmony and humanity. However, they observed that most of the literary people were unable to do so owing to their poor financial condition and absence of any assistance from the government. The speakers demanded of the district administration and the culture department to extend support to local poets and writers. The panel discussion was followed by a literary session, where numerous poets and writers, including Prof Iqbal Shakir, Ashna Bajauri, Anwar Nigar, Bacha Zada Hiran, Aslam Salik, Anwar Hussain, Qadar Khan Siyal, Sultan Yousaf, Umar Hayat and Imran Sahar, presented their poems and verses on different topics. Addressing the event, Khar assistant commissioner Dr Sadiq Ali, who was the chief guest, said that the prime purpose of the Bajaur Literature Festival was to gather both the senior and junior writers and poets on a single platform to exchange their views and ideas for promotion of literary activities and peace in the district. He said the district administration was in contact with the provincial government to ensure provision of incentives and support to poets and writers. Later, the participants were honoured with shields and appreciation certificates. Residents of Dag Qala area of Khar tehsil on Tuesday demonstrated against delay in payment of compensation to them for the lands acquired for construction of a road. The protesters said the district administration acquired their lands for construction of the Khar Bypass about a year ago, and promised to pay the compensation when the work on the road would be launched. However, they said work had been in progress for two months, but they had yet to receive compensation. The protesters dispersed when MNA Mubarakzeb Khan along with Khar assistant commissioner Dr Sadiq Ali met and assured them of payments within five days.