Celebrated Urdu satirist Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi dies in Pak

Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi, celebrated Urdu satirist and humourist of the Indian subcontinent, has died after a protracted illness in Pakistan's port city of Karachi. He was 94.

He was admitted to a private hospital few days back after contracting pneumonia and later put on a ventilator as his health deteriorated.

Yousufi died yesterday. A large number of people including top literary figures attended his funeral today.

Born in Jaipur in 1923 and educated at the Aligarh Muslim University, Yousafi migrated to Pakistan in 1956 and became a career banker.

His work 'Chiraagh Talay' (1961) had established him as a humorist. His other popular works include 'Khakam Badahan' (1970), 'Zarguzasht' (1976) and 'Aab-i-Gum' (1990).

Yousufi was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 1999 and the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2002 the highest literary honour given by the Pakistan government to civilians.

Popular playwriter Haseena Moin said that the Yousufi era of humour has come to an end with his death.

"His writings will live on. Readers have memorised not just his lines but entire essays. He was the kind of humorist and satirist who is known and recognised in all those regions of the world where Urdu is understood," Moin said.