Literati circle and people in general in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are saddened by the death of stylish poet Khatir Ghazanvi (1925-2008) at his Peshawar home on Sunday night. Ibrahim Beg with his poetic identity Khatir was one of the leading Urdu poets of Pakistan famous for ghazals and for his contribution to promote the Hindko literature.
The Information Minister, Sherry Rahman, Chairman, Pakistan National Language Authority, Fateh Muhammad Malik, Chairman, Pakistan Academy of Letters Iftikhar Arif, Managing Director National Book Foundation, Moinul Islam Bukhari, Secretary, Halqa i Arbab Zauq, Muntazar Naqvi, Director general of Films and Publications Sajida Iqbal expressed heart felt condolences on Khatir's sad demise.
The Chairman, Pakistan Academy accompanied by PAL Resident Director in Peshawar, Dr Azam Khan Azam attended his funeral in Peshawar on Monday. In a statement issued just before leaving for the NWFP, Arif said the poet was a trend-setter and his death has left a void in the literary scene. Further, Khatir would always remain popular among the lover s of Hindko literature.
Arif also referred to some of Khatir's books such as Phool Aur Pathar, Rang Roop, Chine Nama, Chittanay Aur Roman, Dastar Nama (Translation), and Pathan Aur Jazbat Lateef, Khushal Nama, Jadeed Urdu Adab, Khayal and Aik Tha Kutta. He also wrote many travelogues and famous 'Urdu Zuban ka Maakhiz - Hindko'. Many established in literary field termed Khatir patriot for organising Urdu Mushaira on August 18, 1947 to celebrate the birth of Pakistan.
The late poet also donated his private library, containing thousands of books, to his alma mater the University of Peshawar. Khatir also maintained serene reputation and came in the focus for rendering Pashto romances in Urdu and for published 'Sarhad Ke Rooman'.