KARACHI: Masood Ahmed Barkati, who edited children’s magazine Hamdard Naunehal for around 65 years, passed away after protracted illness on Sunday. He was 87.

His friends and family members said Masood Ahmed Barkati, a prolific writer of children’s literature who wrote 20 books, was ill and died on Sunday evening.

He had been editing the magazine for the past 65 years without missing a single issue.

Most critics said such a long period for someone to edit a publication might be a record in itself in the world.

Barkati sahib was a close aide to Hakim Mohammad Said, who owned the magazine. He belonged to a family hailing from Tonk, Rajasthan, India, that produced a number of famous intellectuals.

He was a younger brother of Hakim Mehmood Ahmed Barkati, a researcher and scholar.

He is survived by three daughters and a son.

His funeral prayers will be held at Masjid Falah, Naseerabad, Federal B Area, after Zuhar prayers.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2017