KARACHI, Oct 12: Literary organizations and academics have paid tribute to the late Shanul Haq Haqqee. A press statement issued by the Anjuman Taraque Urdu says that Mr Haqqee did considerable work on Urdu language, literature and linguistic during his stay in Canada.

“He remained associated with the Urdu Lughat Board for a long time. He was a leading poet, intellectual, researcher and translator. He recently prepared an English dictionary for the Oxford University Press,” it says.

The Anjuman Taraque Urdu held a condolence meeting which was presided over by deputy secretary Umrao Tariq. The participants of the meeting shed light on the literary works of Mr Haqqee and paid tribute to his contribution. They also expressed sorrow at his death in Canada.

The vice chancellor of the University of Karachi, Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza, issued a press statement in which he said that Mr Haqqee was blessed with many qualities.

“His was a multi-dimensional personality and he brought his energies to bear upon many fields of learning. His literary works will always be remembered by scholars and students. His death is a great blow which comes on the heels of Dr Ghulam Mustafa Khan’s death,” he said.

The chief of the Muttahida Quami Movement expressed sorrow over the death of Mr Haqqee, says a press release.

It adds that Mr Haqqee will be long remembered for his contributions to the many fields of Urdu literature and linguistics.

Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui on Wednesday expressed immense sorrow over the demise of renowned scholar and poet Shanul Haq Haqqee and termed it a major setback for the literary circles of Pakistan, adds PPI.

He prayed that Haqqee’s soul rest in peace.