Pashto Academy secures copy of 17th century manuscript from Saudi varsity.

PESHAWAR -- The authorities of Pashto Academy, University of Peshawar, here on Saturday claimed that a rare copy of 17th century Pashto manuscript had been secured from the shelf devoted to Persian old manuscripts in the main library of King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.

The manuscript written in old Pashto script was authored by Ghulam Ibne Sher Khan, highlighting the traits of the life of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in Pashto around H. 1050 corresponding to 1640 AD, the officials revealed.

'The old manuscript will help us resolve issues surrounding Pashto script with regard to its evolution through different phases till present day,' they said.

Officials say it will help resolve issues regarding evolution of Pashto script

The officials said the manuscript was first identified in 2015 on a webpage titled 'Muqashafi', which was no longer available. However, an official said the Pashto Academy through some research scholars got access to officials of the King Saud University who helped them in providing a copy in Portable Document Format (pdf) of the said manuscript.

When contacted, Pashto Academy director Prof Dr Nasrullah Jan Wazir told this scribe that some bloggers and research scholars had mentioned earlier about the old Pashto manuscript detailing salient features of the Holy Prophet's...