ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: Thousands of fans of Urdu poet Ahmed Faraz remembered him on Saturday, on his fourth death anniversary.

The death anniversary was observed among literary circles across the country, while poetry lovers remembered him through his poetry on social networking.

Fans posted popular poetry of Ahmed Faraz saying: “The poetry of Ahmed Faraz will remain alive in our hearts forever.”

“Faraz's unique poetry gave him the title of one of the greatest Urdu poets,” and “His poetry is a guide for many young poets.”Ahmad Faraz was born in Kohat on January 14, 1931 and he died on August 25, 2008. Ahmed Faraz holds a unique position as one of the best poets of current times, with a fine but simple style of writing. He was outspoken about politics and was arrested for reciting certain poems at a poetry reading session criticising the military rule.

He stayed for six years in Britain, Canada and Europe before returning to Pakistan, where he was initially appointed Chairman Academy of Letters and later chairperson of the Islamabad-based National Book Foundation for several years. He was awarded with numerous national and international awards. He was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2004, Sitara-i-Imtiaz and after his death Hilal-e-Pakistan by the government in recognition of his literary achievements.

According to his fans, most writers and poets have to wait for their death to reach a wide level of recognition but Ahmad Faraz rose to fame in the 70s and especially after Mehdi Hasan sang Faraz's “Ranjish hi sahee, dil hi dukhanay kay liay aa.” — APP