LAHORE, Pakistan: Renowned Urdu writer and playwright Bano Qudsia passed away in Lahore on Saturday at the age of 88.
Bano Qudsia, who married famous short story writer Ashfaq Ahmed, was best known for her novel Raja Gidh. She had written for television and stage, in both Urdu and Punjabi languages. ‘Aadhi Baat’ was a ‘classic’ play penned by her.
Bano Qudsia was recognized as a trendsetter in the realm of television plays. Some of her plays gained immense popularity in Pakistan and across the border because of their vitality, warmth and courage.
Bano moved with her family to Lahore during the Partition of India. Her father, a landlord with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, died when Bano was very young. She attended school in Dharamsala in eastern India before moving to Lahore.
In a statement, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed deep condolences over the sad demise of prominent Urdu writer Bano Qudsia. He prayed for blessing of the departed soul and grant of patience to the bereaved family.
The prime minister said that Bano Qudsia was an asset of Pakistan and she had innumerable services in the field of Urdu literature.
Nawaz Sharif said that her demise has left a huge space in the literary field and her writings would be remembered for generations to come.
The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Maryam Aurangzeb also expressed deep grief over the sad demise of Bano Qudsia.
Maryam Aurangzeb said that Bano Qudsia was a towering literary figure of her age. She said that vacuum created due to her death can’t be fulfilled.
