KARACHI: Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, critic, educationist and a scholar of Urdu literature, passed away here on Wednesday. He was 74.

He was admitted to hospital a couple of weeks ago when his blood pressure shot up, affecting his brain and kidneys.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters.

Dr Siddiqui was born in Amroha (India) in 1938. He migrated to Pakistan in 1948 and acquired his early education at the Christian Mission School, an institution from where Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah also had his early schooling.

Dr Siddiqui passed his intermediate examination from D.J. Science College in 1953 and went on to obtain a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Karachi in 1962.

An avid knowledge-seeker, he did not stop at that and did a doctorate of literature in Pakistan Studies from Karachi University.

Dr Siddiqui wrote a number of books, mainly critical analyses, which gained popularity among literary and book-reading circles. Some of them were Tawazun, Nishanat and Croche Ki Sarguzisht. He was known for critically analysing works of fiction and poetry and putting them into historical context.

Dr Siddiqui wrote a column for Dawn under the pen Name, Ariel, for two decades. He wrote for other publications as well. He held an important post at Biztek University at the time of his death. He had also taught at Hamdard University.

Dr Siddiqui was a recipient of the President’s pride of performance award as well as of the Sitara-i-Imtiaz.

He was buried at the Sakhi Hasan graveyard.

Soyem will be held at Farooq-i-Azam Masjid after Friday prayers.