ISLAMABAD, April 9: Renowned intellectual, writer and columnist, Abdullah Malik, died after a protracted illness at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) here late Wednesday night. He was 82.

He earlier remained admitted to KRL Hospital from where he was shifted to PIMS a few days back.

Mr Malik was suffering from Pleural Effusion, a lungs disease.

Born in 1920 at Old Lahore, the prominent journalist got his early education at Islamic College Lahore. He had worked with various national dailies.

Mr Malik had also contributed to Pakistan Movement and was an active member of Communist Party.

He also remained associated with Progressive Papers Limited (PPL), publisher of daily Pakistan Times and daily Imroz and remained foreign correspondent of the two newspapers.

He was an author of over two dozen books. Most of them were written on the history of Punjab and political movements in Indo-Pakistan subcontinent.

He had been jailed during the Yahya Khan’s government for supporting Bangladesh Movement. He was also sentenced for lashes for writing an article against hanging of a former prime minister of Bangladesh Mujeebur Rehman but later the sentence was withdrawn.

His funeral will be taken out from his Lahore residence, 134-Tipu Block, Garden Town, on Thursday after Asr prayers.