ISLAMABAD, Dec 19: Writers and intellectuals of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Shaukat Siddiqui, one of the greatest short-story writers and novelists of the subcontinent.

They described the death of Shaukat Siddiqui a great loss to the Urdu literature. He was the most representative and progressive short-story writer and novelist with unique style of the present times.

The writers and poets who expressed their grief included Kishwar Naheed, Ashfaq Saleem Mirza, Mushir Anwar, Harris Khaleeq, Dr Nazir Mahmood, Halqa Arbab-i-Zauq Islamabad chapter’s secretary Manzar Naqvi, Mohammad Mansha Yad, Ali Akbar Abbas, Shahed Hameed, Akhtar Usmani, Asghar Abid, Aqeel Malik and others.

“Shaukat Siddiqui’s death is a huge loss for the intellectual world”, said Pakistan Academy of Letters Chairman Iftikhar Arif in his condolence message on the death of the renowned novelist, short-story writer and journalist, who died in Karachi on Monday.

He said Shaukat Siddiqui guided and groomed the generation of writers through his writings. His biography, creative and research works have immortalised him. His stories and novels are artistic presentation of the conflicts of social classes of real life.

Soomor: Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro and Acting Chairman Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali have expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Shaukat Siddiqui.

The Leader of the House in Senate Wasim Sajjad has also expressed his profound sorrow over the passing away of Shaukat Siddiqui.