KARACHI, July 10: People from all walks of life, including men of letters, politicians, intellectuals and journalists were shocked and grieved over the death of renowned poet, critic and journalist Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, who breathed his last on Monday.

They paid him rich tributes for his brave and articulate writings and felt that a big vacuum had been created with his demise.

The Pakistan Writers’ Guild termed the death of Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi a great national loss. A condolence meeting, chaired by PWG central secretary Naseem Durrani, was held here in which tributes were paid to late Qasmi and his services for literature as a poet, critic, and columnist were recalled.

The condolence meeting was addressed by Sarshar Siddiqui, Naqash Kazmi, Prof Manzar Ayubi, and Ahmad Umar Sharif. They maintained that Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was a legend of literature in the subcontinent and one of the top leaders of progressive and liberal writers. PWG decided to organise a reference for Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi to pay him due respect he deserved.

In his condolence message, Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain expressed heartfelt grief over Mr Qasmi’s demise that he described as an outstanding poet, columnist and journalist and said that his services could never be forgotten.The Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology also held a condolence meeting. Dr Muhammad Aslam Farrukhi and other speakers paid tributes to the literary services of late Qasmi and termed his demise a big loss of Urdu literature.

Later, the meeting prayed for the peace of departed soul.

In a press statement issued by the University of Karachi, Vice-Chancellor Dr Pirzada Qasim termed the demise a big tragedy for Urdu language and literature. He stated that such great personalities were born in centuries.

In their condolence messages, Pakistan Academy of Letters Chairman Iftikhar Arif, PAL Director-General Muhammad Anwar Khan, Dr Rashid Hameed, Nighat Saleem and others senior officers said that the services of late Qasmi for Urdu literature, journalism and the progressive movement could not be forgotten.

The PAL would hold a condolence reference at City Officers Club, Kashmir Road, on July 12 at 5.30pm. Dr Jamiluddin Aali will preside over the gathering.

Idara Roh-i- Adab Pakistan also condoled the death.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arbab Rahim and Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui expressed grief over the demise of Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi.

In the condolence message, they said the services of late Qasmi for literature, journalism and the progressive movement could not be forgotten. They prayed for grant of eternal peace to the departed soul and fortitude and courage to the bereaved family.