ISLAMABAD: Renowned poet and literary figure of Pakistan Ahmed Faraz has
passed away here on Monday, August 25, 2008.
He was under treatment at a hospital in Islamabad. Confirming the death
of father, his son Shibli Faraz here said he (Ahmed Faraz) is no more
with us.
He was buried in Islamabad, on Tuesday, August 26, 2008. The ceremony
was attended by thousands of mourners, including politicians, writers,
students and members of the poet's family. He leaves behind a widow and
two sons.
Faraz was not only a literary figure of our times
he was also the voice of conscience of the nation. His valiant stand
against dictatorship and persistent struggle for democracy has been a
source of inspiration for political forces.
Faraz, 77, was best known for his progressive
political poetry, with his poem Mohasara (The Siege), written in
criticism of Pakistan's political regime, perhaps his most widely
praised work. But he also wrote romantic poetry, and his poem Dekhtay
Hain (Let us Gaze) is seen today as a classic of modern romance.
e was imprisoned in the 1980s, and spent years in
exile after his release. He was among the torch-bearers of righteousness
during the era of dictatorship and recently refused to accept the pride
of performance award.
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Iftikhar Ahmad, a poet and close friend of Faraz, said that he had been
the greatest poet writing in the Urdu language. "His poetry started off
very romantic. He used the plainest and simplest of words to create
beautiful poetry. His popularity spread so fast that he became an icon
in Pakistan. Then his poetry turned to the poetry of protest," Ahmad
said.
He described Faraz as a "very courageous and principled poet".
"Lashing out at the government of the country in which you are living
requires immense personal courage," he explained, "in Pakistan it is not
difficult to put people of letters into solitary confinement. It will be
very difficult for any poet to replace him."
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