LAHORE: Prof Dr Zaheer Ahmed Siddiqui, the distinguished professor of Persian at the Government College University (GCU), a writer, poet and philanthropist passed away at the age of 84 on Wednesday.

He was laid to rest in a local graveyard.

Prof Siddiqui, 84, was the author of 60 books, including Pakistan’s first Persian-to-Urdu dictionary and the first history of GCU Lahore in Urdu. He also served as the first registrar of GCU from 2002 to 2007. Prof Siddiqui is survived by two sons and a daughter.

His books on poetry, Persian literature, Islam, history and culture have been highly celebrated.

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah and other faculty members expressed condolences over the death of Prof Dr Siddiqui. He said Dr Siddiqui was an inspiration for the new generation and he continued to donate his entire salary to the GCU Endowment Fund Trust to provide fees for the bright and deserving students.

Three former vice chancellors of the university, GCU Registrar Saboor A Khan, Persian Department Chairperson Prof Iqbal Shahid, colleagues, a large number of students and friends attended Dr Siddiqui’s funeral at Ghausia Mosque near his residence in New Muslim Town.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2019