Literary legend and scholar Jamil Jalibi passes away

ISLAMABAD: Renowned Urdu writer, critic, scholar Jamil Jalibi passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness at the age of 89 in Karachi, ARY News reported.

His funeral prayer was offered after Asr prayer today at ‘Masjid Abu Bakar’ in Defence Housing Society area of Karachi.

Jalibi served Urdu literature for over 70 years and his literary work spread over numerous fields. His book Tareekh-i-adab-i-Urdu made Jalibi a legendary figure.

His classical work in Masnavi Kudam Rao Padam Rao , Divan-i-Hasan Shauqi and Divan-i-Nusrati attracted people and Jalibi became the most famous research scholar of Urdu literature.

Read More: Bano Qudsia, novelist and playwright, passes away at 88

Some of his popular books are: Janveristan, Eliot Ke Mazameen, Pakistani Culture, Qadeem Urdu Ki Lughat, Arastu Se Eliot Tak, The Changing World of Islam, Tanqeed Aur Tajraba, Qaumi Angrezi Urdu Lughat, Adabi Tehqeeq.

Jamil Jalibi also served as the Karachi University Vice-chancellor from 1983 to 1987. In recognition of his services, Jalibi was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Siatatr-e-Imtiaz. He was also honoured with Dawood Literary Award (four times), Baba-i-Urdu Award and Mohammad Tufail Award.

Jamil Jalibi was born into a Yousufzai family on June 12, 1929 in Aligarh, India and migrated to Pakistan after Partition. He did his MA (English) from Sindh University in 1949. In 1950 he did his LLB, in 1971 PhD, and in 1973 DLitt. In 1953, he passed Central Superior Service (CSS) exams and became an official at the income tax department.