BUNER: Noted progressive poet and Pakhtun nationalist Shams Buneri passed away here on Wednesday. He was 77.

He left behind two sons and three daughters to mourn his death. He was elder brother of journalist Abid Buneri. He was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Ghazi Khana. A large number of poets, writers, political workers, civil society members and lawyers attended his funeral prayers.

Born in 1946, Shams Buneri received education in Buner and Peshawar. He was imprisoned many a times owing to his radical views. He had done his graduation when he was in Haripur jail and later took degree in law from University of Peshawar.

Shams Buneri was a prominent Pakhtun nationalist, progressive and revolutionary poet, writer, scholar, and former culture secretary of Awami National Party (ANP).

Literary organisations, political workers and lawyers expressed deep grief over his death and condoled with the bereaved family.

Throughout his life, he was recognised for his revolutionary poetry and active political engagement, which led to him living in exile in Afghanistan for a considerable period and facing imprisonment.

He was known as ‘poet of the prison’ in the literary circles. He used to contribute articles and poetic pieces to different journals, newspapers and magazines.

He was able to bring out four Pashto poetry collections and two prose books.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2023