ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Political leaders across the Country including President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of renowned journalist, columnist and poet Munnu Bhai.
Muneer Ahmed Qureshi, more commonly known as Munnu Bhai, passed away in Lahore on Friday morning. He was under treatment in a hospital at Lahore.
His family sources said that Munnu Bhai’s funeral prayer will be offered in Riwaz Garden, Lahore after Asr prayer and later will be laid to rest in Miani Sahib cemetery.
Munnu Bhai was awarded Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2007 for his services to the nation.
In a statement, the president expressed grief over the demise of Munnu Bhai. He said that Munnu Bhai was a great artist and columnist, and his services would be remembered always.
While expressing deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of veteran columnist Munnu Bhai, the prime minister lauded the role of Munnu Bhai in highlighting social issues, concern for differently abled persons and praised his standards of humanity throughout his life.
The prime minister prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and to grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.
Expressing grief and sorrow over the death of Munnu Bhai, the Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the entire nation mourns the loss of most prolific writers of modern time. She said that Munnu Bhai highlighted issues regarding underprivileged community.
The Prime Minister’s Advisor on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqi also extended his heart felt condolence and commiserated with the bereaved family. He appreciated services of Munnu Bhai for literature and journalism.
The Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and the Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of Munnu Bhai.
Separately, the Co-Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and former President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed grief over the sad demise of Munnu Bhai, and also expressed sympathies to the bereaved family.
The Opposition leader in Punjab assembly Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed paid tribute to Munnu Bhai for his services in the field of literature, education and journalism, and said that Munnu Bhai had a prominent position in the literary world.
Mehmood ur Rasheed said that space created by the death of Munnu Bhai can never be filled even after centuries.
