August 27, 2008	Wednesday	Sha'aban 24, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: The National Assembly prayed for the soul of departed poet Ahmad Faraz at the start of its proceedings on Tuesday.

The special Fateha prayer, led by PML-N member Sahibzada Fazal Karim, was held by the lower house on a suggestion from a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) member from Karachi, Kushbakht Shujaat.

A similar Fateha prayer was held earlier by journalists covering parliament.

Condolances: People from different walks of life paid tribute to Ahmad Faraz and said the literary world had lost one of its greatest icons.

In a condolence message, Islamabad Cultural Forum members Prof Khwaja Masud, Dr Noor Fatima, Ashfaq Saleem Mirza and Ejaz Shahid eulogised the services of Faraz. They said in him people of South Asia had lost one of the most popular Urdu poet.

“Faraz was not only a great romantic poet but was a great fighter for the cause of the people against tyrants, usurpers and dictators.

He would be remembered in the hearts of the people for generations to come for his relentless struggle against the oppression.”

National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza and Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi expressed their grief and sorrow over the death of eminent poet Ahmad Faraz.

In their separate condolence messages to the bereaved family, they paid rich tribute to Faraz, and said he articulated the aspirations of the downtrodden and the marginalised segments of the society in his unique style.

“He will always be remembered in the annals of history.”

Acting Senate Chairman Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali said Faraz was not only a poet par excellence but also a visionary.