DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Renowned Seraiki poet, writer and banker Saeed Akhtar Siyal passed away due to cardiac arrest here the other day. He was 57.

His funeral prayer was offered on Saturday, which was attended by a large number of literary figures, social and political activists and local people.

According to the family sources, Mr Siyal was ill for the past few days and he had been admitted to a hospital in Islamabad. They said the poet was shifted back to Dera Ismail Khan after his condition improved considerably.

They said he was rushed to a hospital after his blood pressure dropped on Saturday, but did not survive. He has left behind a widow, two sons Ramesh Ali and Ansab Ali and daughter Alina. He worked as manager at the NBP branch.

Mr Siyal was the author of four Seraiki books, including three poetry collections and one fiction. The name of his first book was ‘Sindh Kinarey’. He was also awarded the Khwaja Ghulam Farid Award for his other two works, Wasakh and Nok. His book of fiction ‘Rangoli’ was a Seraiki translation of English fiction.

Mr Siyal was known for his role in the promotion of Seraiki language.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2021