Renowned Urdu Writer, Poet and Humorist Prof. Mashkoor Hussain Yaad Dies at 92

LAHORE: Renowned Urdu writer, poet, researcher, satirist and humorist Mashkoor Hussain Yaad, who also taught former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at Government College Lahore, has passed away at the age of 92.

His funeral prayers will be offered on Monday after Zuhr prayers at Muhammadi Mosque, Hali Road, Gulberg, Lahore.

Mashkoor Hussain Yaad was widely respected for his outstanding contributions to Urdu literature and was honoured with a prestigious presidential award in recognition of his literary services. He was a teacher at Government College Lahore, where Nawaz Sharif was among his students.

Born on September 11, 1925, in Hisar, in present-day Indian Punjab, Yaad developed an early interest in reading and writing. He began his professional career as the editor of a weekly newspaper, Pukar. He subsequently worked as an inquiry officer in the Rationing Department but left the position to continue his education and joined a District Board High School as an English teacher.

His life was profoundly affected by the communal violence surrounding the Partition of the subcontinent in August 1947. During the tragic events, his mother, wife, daughter, brother and several other close relatives were killed, while his father survived.

After experiencing this devastating personal tragedy, Yaad arrived in Lahore in November 1947 and continued his academic and literary pursuits. He completed his Master's degree in Urdu in 1955 and joined the teaching faculty of Government College Lahore in 1960.

Yaad was a versatile literary personality who made significant contributions to poetry, prose, research, satire and humour. His writings were distinguished by their intellectual depth, linguistic richness and distinctive style.

His notable prose works include Azadi Ke Chiragh, Johar-e-Andesha, Dashnam Ke Aaine Mein, Baat Ki Oonchi Zaat, Apni Soorat Aap, La Haul Wa La Quwwat, Sitare Chehchahate Hain, Mutalia-e-Anees Ke Nazuk Marahil, Main Urdu Hoon, Ghalib Nukta Jo, Waqt Ka Istikhara, Sittam Zareef and Mumkinat-e-Inshaiya.

His published poetry collections include Pursish, Pardaakht, Bardaasht, Arzdaasht and Nigehdaasht.

More than 60 books were published under his name, reflecting his remarkable literary productivity and contribution to Urdu literature. Renowned poet and writer Syed Zameer Jafri was among his admirers and particularly appreciated his essays.

His death marks the loss of a distinguished literary figure whose contributions to Urdu language and literature will be remembered for generations.