GILGIT: Noted poet and writer Jamshed Khan Dukhi has passed away at 67.

Mr Dukhi was diagnosed with cancer and remained under treatment in various hospitals in Islamabad.

The family said Mr Dukhi died on Sunday night in Islamabad, and his body was later shifted to Gilgit.

Mr Dukhi wrote popular poetry books in Urdu and Shina, his native language.

Jamshed Dukhi also authored the Gilgit-Baltistan portion of the Pakistani Cultural Encyclopedia, and also translated a volume of poet Allama Iqbal’s works in Shina language.

He was considered a progressive poet as he denounced sectarianism and wrote on people’s issues, particularly constituency rights of GB people.

Mr Dukhi was also the secretary general of Halqa-i-Ahbab-i-Zauq Gilgit, and served as public relations officer in the GB forest and wildlife department.

Funeral prayers of Jamshed Dukhi were offered at the City Park in Gilgit on Monday, attended by a large number of people from different walks of life.

Governor Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon, Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan, GB Assembly opposition leader Amjad Hussain Advocate, Speaker Amjad Ali Zaidi, Deputy Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate, ministers, assembly members, social and literary persons expressed condolences with the bereaved family and termed his death a big loss for GB.

Jamshed Dukhi left behind a widow, two daughters and four sons.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2022