DR SYED ZAFAR ULLAH BAKHSHALI
DOI: https://doi.org/This research paper critically examines the development of Pashto prose, focusing on the substantial contributions of Fazal Rahim Saqi within the framework of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement. While Pashto literary history spans centuries—from early historical texts to the stylized prose of Pir Roshan and the structural refinements of Khushal Khan Khattak—the 20th century marked a paradigm shift toward realistic, accessible, and social prose. Using textual analysis and socio-historical contextualization, this study evaluates Saqi’s contributions across key literary prose forms: drama, short stories (Afsana), epistolary prose (maktuub nigari), and historiography. The findings indicate that Saqi’s prose served both a artistic and functional purpose, transforming Pashto literature into a medium for social reform, political anti-colonial awareness, and historical preservation.
