Munnu Bhai passes away

LAHORE: Renowned poet, social activist, columnist, drama writer, intellectual Muneer Ahmed Qureshi – known as Munnu Bhai – died at a local hospital on Friday at the age of 84.

Munnu Bhai was a multidimensional personality with great love for humanity and the well-being of downtrodden and oppressed people in our society. He was born in Wazirabad, Gujranwala, in 1933. His father was an Imam masjid.

Munnu Bhai was like a skilled surgeon who would cut up and uncover the true menaces of society without any compromises. A realist and an ardent advocate of national solidarity and moderation in the society, he continued fighting against the socio-cultural hypocrisy and dual standards in our society through his columns in Jang, plays and poetry. He was a brave and very vocal soldier of truth and never shied away from calling a spade a spade.

Munnu Bhai received the Pride of Performance in 2007 for his services to the nation. He was a life member of the Lahore Press Club and highly respected like an icon not only in the literary world but also in the journalistic and public circles.

Munnu Bhai took his last breath at a private hospital. He had been shifted to hospital after he suffered a chest infection and kidney ailment in December. His funeral prayers were offered at his residence in Lahore and he was laid to rest at the Miani Sahib graveyard.

As the news of Munnu Bhai’s demise spread in the city through the media, hundreds of people from all walks of life converged at his residence in Raj Garh. He was very popular among all ages and all kinds of people with different socio-intellectual backgrounds alike.

President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, PPP Co-chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Asif Zardari, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and many other top personalities expressed great sense of loss and grief over his demise.

Paying rich tributes to Munnu Bhai and condoling with his bereaved family, they said Munnu Bhai’s services for the country and its people and the void created by his death could never be filled.