12-year-old writes book on Pashtun heroes

PESHAWAR: A 12-year-old student from Peshawar has written a book on the greatest Pathan personalities to shatter stereotypes about the ethnic community.

Bilawal Latif Dawar is an avid reader history enthusiast and also one of the world’s youngest authors. He has recently published a book ‘Pashtoon Heroes’ about the greatest Pathan personalities.

While speaking to a private channel, Bilawal said he wrote the book to bring pride to Pashtuns, saying there is a misconception that they are illiterate. He said his book includes stories of great warriors such as Ahmed Shah Abdali and others who are remembered by Pashtuns.

Bilawal was born and raised in Waziristan but moved to Peshawar with his family after militancy spread in the region in 2014 which motivated him to write from a young age.

It took him three years to write the book. Sharing tips on writing a good book, he said we must do a lot of research, fact check things and take out references.

Dawar is a seventh-grade student at the Army Public School in Kohat. His hobbies include spending time in the library, reading books and evening walks.

He said his favorite authors, whom he has taken inspiration from, include Olaf Core and Ghani Khan as both writers have written a lot about Pathans.

Latif has already started working on his next book, which is based on the people of Balochistan. He said he wants to explore the people and culture of the province and write on them.