Pashto poet, writer Mohammad Waseen Mohmand dies at 58

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Pashto poet and writer Mohammad Waseem Mohmand from northern Baghlan province has passed away due to an illness.

His funeral was held this morning in Baghlan’s central district.

Aimal Momand, son of Mohammad Waseem Mohmand, told Pajhwok Afghan News that his father passed away on Monday in a hospital due to the illness.

His funeral took place this morning at the central mosque in Markazi Baghlan district. Several government officials, tribal elders, and cultural figures attended his funeral. After the last rituals, he was laid to rest in the cemetery of Laghayano village in the same district.

Mohmand’s close friend and tribal elder, Jumma Khan Tokhi, said that the late Mohmand was a cornerstone of cultural gatherings, and his absence will be deeply felt.

He added: “We will strive to honor his companionship by fostering unity among his cultural friends and by publishing his unpublished travelogues and poetry collections.”

Similarly, other cultural friends of Waseem Mohmand also described his death as a significant loss and expressed their condolences to his family on social media.

Writer and poet Zabihullah Ehsas, a resident of Balkh, wrote: “May the soul of Waseem Mohmand, a wise and humble companion of Pashto poetry and literature in Baghlan over the past few decades, rest in peace.

“The late Waseem Mohmand, besides being an exceptional poet, was a dedicated Afghan who upheld and preserved Pashto traditions and culture in the northern regions of the country. His hujra (guesthouse) was not only a venue for local gatherings and councils but also one of the most poetic spots for literary gatherings,” he added.

Mohmand was born in 1345 solar year in Markazi Baghlan district.

He graduated from 12th grade in 1361 solar year and pursued higher education in social sciences up to the bachelor's level in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

During the civil wars, he migrated to Pakistan, where he started writing poetry while working in several educational institutions.

Waseem Mohmand actively participated in cultural and literary gatherings in Baghlan and other provinces.

He authored and published poetry collection titled Warwainey (Echoes) and had three unpublished poetry collections along with a travelogue.

Mohmand passed away yesterday at the age of 58 in a hospital in Pul-i-Khumri city due to an illness.

kk/ma