LAHORE: 12, JANUARY, 2021: The 90th birth anniversary of renowned poet Ahmad Faraz is being observed today (Tuesday). 

Faraz was actually named Syed Ahmad Shah when he was born in Kohat on January 12, 1931, however, he opted "Faraz" as his pen named. He held a Masters degree in multiple languages, including Urdu, Persian, and English Literature. 

The famous works of the famous poet include Tanha Tanha, Dard-e-Ashub, Nayaft, Shab Khoon, Meray Khwab Reza Reza and Janan Janan.

Ahmed Faraz was conferred with numerous awards, including the Adam Jee Literary Award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz by the government of Pakistan in recognition of his literary contributions to the Urdu language. 

He began his professional career from the platform of Radio Pakistan and later joined Peshawar University as a lecturer. Faraz was also appointed as head of the Academy of Letters, and also served as chairperson of the Islamabad-based National Book Foundation for several years.  

Faraz was arrested for writing poems that criticised military rule in Pakistan during the Zia-ul-Haq era.

Following the arrest, he went into a self-imposed exile.

He died in Islamabad on August 25, 2008, due to kidney failure.

His funeral was held on the evening of 26th, at H-8 Graveyard, Islamabad. (04)