KARACHI, Sept 9: The Anjuman Taraqi-i-Urdu Pakistan organized a condolence meeting at its premises to mourn the death of noted scholar, writer and broadcaster, Ashfaq Ahmed, who died on Tuesday after a protracted illness.

The ATUP president Aftab Ahmed Khan and its honorary secretary Jamiluddin Aali, recounting the literary contribution of Ashfaq Ahmad, termed his death a great loss for Urdu literature.

His creative skills, especially with reference to popular radio programme "Talqeen Shah" and his novel "Gadaria" were highlighted. The participants of the meeting also prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Senate's standing committee on Industry and Production, Akram Wali Muhammad, also condoled Ashfaq Ahmed's death. He said the works of the late intellectual fostered love for the humanity as well as the motherland, and would be long remembered.

The senator further stated that the death of Ashfaq Ahmed had created a gap which would take a long time to fill. He also sympathised with the bereaved family. -APP