ISLAMABAD, July 11: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has condoled the death of noted writer, poet and columnist Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi and described it as a great loss to Urdu poetry and literature.

In a condolence message, she said Mr Qasmi was a prolific short-story and drama writer and a poet of distinct style who served as a guide and mentor to many well-known writers and poets of the present era.

She said during his long and illustrious career in literature and poetry he had the distinction of editing several prestigious literary journals that had left a deep imprint on Urdu literature.

Urdu journals such as Naqoosh, Savera, Fanoon and poetic collections like Kisht-i-Wafa besides many other stand testimony to the creative genius of late Nadeem Qasmi, she added.

Ms Bhutto prayed for a chosen place in heaven for the late writer and for courage to members of the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude.