PESHAWAR: Veteran Pashto poet and research scholar Salim Raz passed away at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) due to Covid-19 here on Monday, doctors and family sources confirmed.

He was admitted to HMC a month ago after tested positive for coronavirus. After remaining for more than a week in coma, he lost his battle for life. He left behind four sons and grandchildren to mourn his death.

A large number of literati from across the country and Pakhtuns elsewhere in the world have condoled the demise of the multifaceted writer. His funeral was held in his home district Charsadda and was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Sukkarr at the same day. Noted poets, writers, right activists and local elders attended his funeral.

Literary bodies of Pashto, Urdu and Hindko have termed the demise of Salim Raz an irreparable loss to Pashto literature.

Literary contributions of the deceased spread over 50 years

Salim Raz started his writing career in early 60s. After completing his intermediate education from the historic Islamia College Peshawar, he devoted himself to the cause of serving people through his writing.

Owing to his extensive study, he began to associate himself with trade unionist and progressive organisations and also became one of the pioneers of Da Sahu Leekunkio Adabi Maraka, a popular literary organisation launched by Qalandar Momand in 1962 in Peshawar.

His literary and social contributions spread over 50 years. He was the recipient of more than 50 awards including President’s award Pride of Performance for his immense contribution. He was a prolific writer and used to write for Pashto and Urdu newspapers and journals.

Salim Raz launched a literary organisation in Karachi way back in 1968 and also pioneered Awami Adabi Anjuman and was appointed its general secretary. After coming back to Peshawar in 1978, he founded Pakistan Adabi Markaz, an inclusive literary body for promoting Pashto, Hindko and Urdu and served it in different capacities.

In 1986, Salim Raz was made the chairman of World Pashto Conference and a year later he conducted three-day successful international conference in Peshawar. He was able to arrange the second conference in 2000. In 2015, he arranged World Pashto Convention in Karachi and on the occasion he was appointed central president of Pakistan Progressive Writers Association.

Salim Raz also served as the most active member of the Board of Governors of Pakistan Academy of Letters.

His important publications include Da Zakhmoonu Sparlay, (poetry) Tanqeedi Karkhay (research papers), La Baray Tar Baragalai (reportage), Za Lamha Lamha Qatlegam (poetry) and 50 Years of Pashto Poetry (research).

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.