Obituary: Young poet passes away

ISLAMABAD:

Renowned poet and founding chairman of literary organisation ‘Dhandara’, Safdar Shahid Malik breathed his last here on early Tuesday. He was 49.  He was author of several books and a popular figure in literary circles of the twin cities.

Malik has left behind a widow, three sons and a daughter to mourn his death and his funeral prayers would be offered at his native village near Chakri at 4pm on Wednesday.

Chairman National Language Authority (NLA) Dr Anwarul Haq while commenting on Malik’s death said that it was really a great loss for the country. “Today Pakistan has lost another great poet who contributed a lot for the literary field especially in Chakwal,’’ he said.

Haq added that Malik was not only a good poet but a very humble and polite man and always took care of his friends. “People like Malik would always be remembered and poets and writers are the wealth of the nation.” Veteran poet Iftikar Arif said, “Malik was a young and energetic poet who played a vital role for the promotion of the culture of Chakwal.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2012.