KARACHI: Renowned poet and writer Masroor Alam Farooqui commonly known as Khumar Farooqi passed away at the age of 71, leaving behind a widow, two sons and two daughters. Khumar Farooqui was born in Agra in 1942 and migrated to Pakistan. He did his MA and LLB from Rawalpindi and joined government service in Federal Bureau of Statistics from where he retired as Chief Statistical Officer in the 90s.
Khumar joined Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology as a consultant and worked in its Literary Arts and Culture Forum headed by Late Brig (r) Qamarus Salam after whose death he became the convener of the forum. His poetry was widely acclaimed in the poetic and literary circles. He wrote many books including autobiographies, hamd, naat, nohas and marsias. He was compiling the history of Aligarh Muslim University which remained incomplete because of his sudden death. He also wrote his own biography and helped a large section of people in writing poetries. At Sir Syed University, he immensely contributed in literary functions and his last function was held on the eve of Independence Day on August 14, 2013. Sir Syed University Chancellor Engr Adil Usmman and VC Dr Jawaid Hassan Rizvi expressed their profound sorrow over the demise of Khumar Farooqui and paid homage to him for his contribution towards literary and poetic activities held at varsity.–Staff Reporter