Notable Personalities Who Departed in 2024
Islamabad:The year 2024 brought its share of sorrow as several prominent figures from various fields of life passed away, leaving behind a void that will be hard to fill. These losses, ranging from literary icons to renowned professionals, have deeply impacted both the national and global community.
Here’s a look at some of the key figures we lost in 2024:
1. **Azmat Kamal (1st January 2024):**
The renowned poet and banker, Azmat Kamal, who was the son of famous poet Dr. Aasi Karnaali, passed away on January 1, 2024. His death marked a significant loss to Urdu poetry.
2. **Actor Khalid Butt (11th January 2024):**
Popular actor Khalid Butt, hailing from Multan, passed away on January 11, 2024, leaving a legacy of memorable performances in the entertainment industry.
3. **Dr. Ahmed Faraz (13th January 2024):**
On January 13, renowned medical expert Dr. Ahmed Faraz, who was also a famous travelogue writer and the husband of Dr. Shagufta Faraz, passed away after a prolonged illness.
4. **Researcher Aslam Rasoolpuri & Journalist Nazir Naaji (1st & 21st February 2024):**
Aslam Rasoolpuri, a noted researcher in Saraiki literature, passed away on February 1, 2024. On February 21, the prominent journalist and columnist Nazir Naaji also passed away.
5. **Dr. Parvez Haider & Cricketer Saeed Ahmed (7th & 21st March 2024):**
Dr. Parvez Haider, a well-respected physician, passed away on March 7. Later in the month, on March 21, former national cricket team captain Saeed Ahmed also left us.
6. **Producer Rashid Dar & PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan (20th & 23rd March 2024):**
On March 20, PTI producer Rashid Dar passed away, and on March 23, former PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan also passed, both contributing significantly to Pakistan’s cultural and sports sectors.
7. **Saraiki Poet Mushtaq Sabqat, Storyteller Ana Iqbal & Journalist Haider Taqi (25th March – 21st April 2024):**
Mushtaq Sabqat, a renowned Saraiki poet, passed away on March 25. Storyteller Ana Iqbal passed away on March 30, while senior journalist Haider Taqi, also the nephew of renowned poet Raees Amrohi, left us on April 21.
8. **Saraiki Poet Asad Ashloq (16th May 2024):**
Young Saraiki poet Asad Ashloq passed away in Dera Ismail Khan on May 16, 2024, leaving behind a unique body of work.
9. **Actor Talat Hussain, Educationist Tauqir Bukhari & News Anchor Taskeen Zafar (26th May – 10th June 2024):**
On May 26, famous actor Talat Hussain passed away. On May 28, the young educator and journalist Tauqir Bukhari passed away in Multan. Renowned news anchor Taskeen Zafar passed away on June 10.
10. **Poet Sarwar Naghmi, Actor Sardar Kamal & Broadcaster Yunus Adeem (1st – 3rd July 2024):**
The year also saw the loss of famous poet Sarwar Naghmi on July 1, actor Sardar Kamal on July 3, and broadcaster Yunus Adeem, who hailed from Lodhran, also on July 3.
11. **Chef Naheed Ansari, Journalist Naseer Rana & Actor Mazhar Ali (6th July – 8th October 2024):**
Chef Naheed Ansari passed away on July 6, followed by senior journalist Naseer Rana on September 23. On October 8, renowned actor Mazhar Ali passed away.
12. **Actor Abid Kashmiri & Poet Aslam Ansari (11th October – 22nd October 2024):**
Actor Abid Kashmiri passed away on October 11, followed by the famous educationalist, poet, and scholar Dr. Aslam Ansari on October 22.
13. **Poet Rana Noshad Qasir & TV Anchor Aina Misal (24th October 2024):**
On October 24, renowned Urdu and Haryanvi poet Rana Noshad Qasir passed away in Multan. On the same day, famous poetess and TV anchor Aina Misal, daughter of renowned poet Naseem Liahi, passed away in Lahore.
14. **Musician Tafo, Editor Rafiq Qaiser & Poet Iqbal Sookri (20th October – 9th November 2024):**
The year also witnessed the loss of legendary musician and tabla player Tafo on October 20, followed by young editor of *Rehbar Kisaan*, Rafiq Qaiser, on November 2, and prominent Saraiki poet Iqbal Sookri on November 9.
15. **Writer & Journalist Khalid Ahmed, Calligrapher Muhammad Rashid Sial & Poet Zahid Masood (18th November – 25th December 2024):**
Khalid Ahmed, a prominent writer and journalist, passed away on November 18. On December 12, internationally renowned calligrapher and Quran scribe Muhammad Rashid Sial passed away. Poet and writer Zahid Masood left us on December 25, followed by the death of Pakistan’s first English novel writer, Bapsi Sidhwa, who passed away in the United States on December 26.
—
The year 2024 was marked by a significant loss to the literary, entertainment, and academic communities. These personalities contributed to Pakistan’s cultural, intellectual, and artistic heritage, and their legacies will continue to inspire future generations.
