ISLAMABAD: Literary figures on Monday attended a condolence reference for late writer Yousaf Hasan and said all his undocumented literary work should be published.

The event was hosted by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) and was attended by many close friends of Yousaf Hasan, who said he was a simple and down to earth man.

Presiding over the reference, Kishwar Naheed said Yousaf was a perfectionist and never published his poetry because he thought they needed improvement.

“I disagree with his approach because writers’ documented work lasts for generations,” she said.

She called him the Aristotle of his time as much of Aristotle’s work is not available in the written form.

Renowned writer Iftikhar Arif said Yousaf was a man with a different approach.

Ashfaq Saleem Mirza said he had never interacted personally with Yousaf but they had worked on the same subject, Marxism. He said whatever the topic of discussion was, Yousaf could turn it to class difference.

He said Yousaf’s death was an immeasurable loss to the Left in Pakistan and that it had left a void that will not be easily filled.

Prof Jalil Ali said the late writer spent a large portion of his life working towards the emancipation of the oppressed.

“Yousaf was very encouraging and helpful and did a wonderful job in the field of critique,” he said.

Dr Waheed Ahmed said Yousaf was a great poet and was fond of books. He added that Prof Hasan was a source of immense knowledge and guidance for young people whom he would also encourage them to read books.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2018