LAHORE: Educationist, lyricist, writer and critic Ahmed Aqeel Ruby passed away on Sunday night, he was 75.

According to his friends, Ruby was diagnosed with cancer some six months ago. For the last two weeks he was admitted to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital where he died.

He is survived by a daughter. Ruby did his Masters in Urdu from Punjab University. Great literary personalities such as Sajjad Baqar Rizvi, Dr Ibadat Barailvi and Syed Abdullah were among his teachers.

During his student life he was very close to famous poet Nasir Kazmi.

He wrote film songs, films, novels and book reviews. He wrote books on Nasir Kazmi and Sajjad Baqar Rizvi. He was also a member of Halqa Arbab-i-Zauq. He retired from FC College as professor of Urdu in 2000.

Ruby was also popular with the film folk and TV artistes.

Academy of Letters chairman Sheraz Rafique, literary organisations of the city, writers and poets have expressed deep sorrow and grief at his death.

Funeral prayers for late Ruby will be offered at Maki Mosque, H-Block, Johar Town, at 2pm on Monday (today).

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2014