PESHAWAR: Veteran Pashto poet and research scholar Salim Raz passed away at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) due to Covid-19 here on Monday, doctors and family sources confirmed.

He was admitted to HMC a month ago after tested positive for coronavirus. After remaining for more than a week in coma, he lost his battle for life. He left behind four sons and grandchildren to mourn his death.

A large number of literati from across the country and Pakhtuns elsewhere in the world have condoled the demise of the multifaceted writer. His funeral was held in his home district Charsadda and was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Sukkarr at the same day. Noted poets, writers, right activists and local elders attended his funeral.

Literary bodies of Pashto, Urdu and Hindko have termed the demise of Salim Raz an irreparable loss to Pashto literature.

Literary contributions of the deceased spread over 50 years

Salim Raz started his writing career in early 60s. After completing his intermediate education from the historic Islamia College Peshawar, he devoted himself to the cause of serving people through his writing.

Owing to his extensive study, he began to associate himself with trade unionist and progressive organisations and also became one of the pioneers of Da Sahu Leekunkio Adabi Maraka, a popular literary organisation launched by Qalandar Momand in 1962 in Peshawar.

His literary and social contributions spread over 50 years. He was the recipient of more than 50 awards including President’s award Pride of Performance for his immense contribution. He was a prolific writer and used to write for Pashto and Urdu newspapers and journals.

Salim Raz launched a literary organisation in Karachi way back in 1968 and also pioneered Awami Adabi Anjuman and was appointed its general secretary. After coming back to Peshawar in 1978, he founded Pakistan Adabi Markaz, an inclusive literary body for promoting Pashto, Hindko and Urdu and served it in different capacities.

In 1986, Salim Raz was made the chairman of World Pashto Conference and a year later he conducted three-day successful international conference in Peshawar. He was able to arrange the second conference in 2000. In 2015, he arranged World Pashto Convention in Karachi and on the occasion he was appointed central president of Pakistan Progressive Writers Association.

Salim Raz also served as the most active member of the Board of Governors of Pakistan Academy of Letters.

His important publications include Da Zakhmoonu Sparlay, (poetry) Tanqeedi Karkhay (research papers), La Baray Tar Baragalai (reportage), Za Lamha Lamha Qatlegam (poetry) and 50 Years of Pashto Poetry (research).

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2021