Pakistan’s illustrious poet Munir Niazi laid to Rest
'By Khawaja Ahsan Paul 'Pakistan Times' Punjab Bureau Chief

LAHORE: Renowned and illustrious Urdu and Punjabi poet Munir Niazi was laid to rest on Wednesday here in presence of thousands mourners.

Munir Niazi, a chronic patient of asthma died of cardiac arrest on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday at the Jinnah Hospital here.

An Urdu and Punjabi poet with a unique diction and style, Munir Niazi was born at District Hoshiyarpur of the Indian Punjab on April 19, 1928. He did his matriculation from the District Sahiwal and later got himself admitted in the Diyal Singh College, Lahore.

Munir Niazi had a vision of hope and love for his country and its people. Love, he said is the most enduring quality and poetry reflects the most sublime side of life.

His poetry influenced an entire generation of young writers and poets for giving them an exceptional and powerful style in poetry.

Munir Niazi had to his credit 11 Urdu and 4 Punjabi languages published collections of poetry, which included widely acclaimed ‘Tez Hawa Aur Phool’, Aghaz Damistan Mein Dobarah’, ‘Pahli Baat Hi Aakhri Thi and ‘Aik Doa Jo Main Bhool Gaya Tha.’

PM Aziz Grieved

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has expressed his deep sorrow on the sad demise of the renowned poet, Munir Niazi.

The 78-year old renowned Urdu and Punjabi poet, Munir Niazi breathed his last here Tuesday. He was laid to rest at Marian graveyard, Model Town, Lahore on Wednesday.

In a condolence message to his family, the Prime Minister described Munir Niazi as “a towering figure on the contemporary literary scene.”

Aziz said Niazi was a major poet who was equally profound and prolific in Urdu and Punjabi poetry.

“Munir Niazi had an inimitable style, which was creative, original and distinct,” the Prime Minister said.

His poetry was suffused with modern sensibility with a stamp of his own and reflected his deep sensitivity to the human condition and social phenomenon.

The Prime Minister said Munir Niazi’s death has created a huge vacuum but his message will continue to inspire and stir the imagination of the young and creative minds.

The Prime Minister condoled with the bereaved family and prayed that Allah Almighty may rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give his family the strength to bear the great loss.