Punjabi writer Afzal Randhawa passes away

LAHORE :The celebrated Punjabi writer and intellectual Afzal Ahsan Randhawa is no more. It is a sad news for the Punjabi writers because his contribution to poetry, short story and novel writing has inspired generations of Punjabi literati.

Meanwhile, in his condolence message, World Punjabi Congress Chairman Fakhar Zaman said, "Randhawa was my personal friend and we shared many dreams and many ideals. I remember when he was member of National Assembly from PPP platform. He used to make eloquent speeches in the National Assembly. His magnum opus titled 'Diva Tay Darya' set new directions in the fresh sensibility and art of novel writing. His poetry and short stories were equally trend setters and undoubtedly he was one of the very few writers who were equally popular in Pakistan and India. Both of us have spent many days together during Indian visits where I witnessed his popularity. I was personally impressed by his diction, imagery and realism. He did not have arrogance of vocabulary and that is why his writings were equally popular in all social echelons." Randhawa was a dynamic force behind the activities of World Punjabi Congress and he was always very generous to laud the high-profile international conferences organised under the auspices of WPC, Fahar Zaman said.