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Poet Ahmed Faraz dead

Islamabad, August 26
Legendary Urdu poet Ahmed Faraz, a passionate proponent of progress and democracy in Pakistan, has died after a prolonged illness at 77.

Faraz, who was suffering from a kidney disease and had returned to Pakistan from the US after falling seriously ill there last month, died in a private hospital here late last night. He is survived by wife and two sons.

Outspoken on political issues, Faraz went into self-imposed exile during the rule of military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq. He was also arrested during that period for reciting poems critical of military rule. He stayed for three years in the UK, Canada and Europe before returning to Pakistan.

Faraz, considered one of the best poets of Pakistan, was born in Nowshera on January 14, 1931. His real name was Syed Ahmed Shah.

The Pashto-speaking Faraz learned and studied Persian and Urdu at the Peshawar University, where he also taught later.

He also served as chairman of the Academy of Letters and headed the Islamabad-based National Book Foundation for several years.

The recipient of many national and international awards, he was inspired by Pakistan People’s Party founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. In 2004, he was awarded the ‘Hilal-e-Imtiaz’ in recognition of his literary achievements.

However, he criticised the government of the day and its policies and returned the award in 2006.

Maintaining a tradition established by his mentor, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Faraz wrote excellent poetry in exile. His famous work of resistance was “Mahasara”. He also wrote 13 books.

In the last decade of his life, Faraz often spoke out against the regime of former President Pervez Musharraf. He also backed the lawyers’ movement for restoring the judges who were sacked during last year’s emergency.

Pakistan’s National Assembly, lower house of Parliament, today offered special prayers for Faraz, whose funeral prayers were held at a graveyard here today.

A large number of people, including National Assembly deputy speaker Faisal Karim Kundi and top political leaders, attended the funeral.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed grief and shock at the death of Faraz. — PTI