MALAKAND: Noted Pashto poet Mohammad Islam Armani passed away at age 76 owing to a protracted illness, his family confirmed.

He breathed his last at his residence in Alladand Derai area of Malakand district on Monday night.

Family members said he had been bed-ridden for the last two years due to multiple health complications.

The deceased was laid to rest on Tuesday in his ancestral graveyard. A large number of poets, writers, students, fans and local elders attended his funeral prayers.

Mr Armani had authored 15 books and published numerous articles and features in several Pashto journals and newspapers. He had done his master’s in Pashto literature and started his career as schoolteacher. He retired as a principal from a government college.

He pioneered the launch of literary activities, especially poetry recitation sessions, in the Malakand district and inspired a host of young poets in the area.

Islam Arman was known for writing romantic-cum-progressive Pashto ghazals, most of which, were sung by ghazal maestro Khayal Mohammad and many other folk artists.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2021