OKARA, Dec 13: Muhammad Iqbal Salahuddin, a noted literary figure, died of illness here on Tuesday. He was 72. A research scholar in Punjabi, Persian and Urdu, short-story writer, poet and lexicographer, he had been suffering from many diseases for the last two years.

Born in 1933 in a nearby village, he did his masters in Urdu and Persian from the Punjab University. His work on Hazrat Amer Khusro comprises seven volumes. He authored three dozen books, including three volumes of Waddi Punjabi Lughat and Bar di Saar, a Punjabi poetry book which won him wide acclaim.

Lallan di Pand, a rare compilation of different literatures, is included in a competitive examination. He was a recognized poet in Punjabi literature and his works were included in curricula from classes VI up to the masters level. He won 19 awards from the country’s literary societies.

He is survived by wife, two sons and as many daughters.