DERA ISMAIL KHAN  - Renowned Urdu poet and philosopher Saeed Ahmed Akhtar passed away on Tuesday.
Saeed Ahmad was born in Balochistan’s Pishin area on March 3, 1933. He was a well-known Urdu poet and educationist.
He got his masters degree in English literature from Peshawar University in 1958 and then got another masters degree in Urdu literature from the same university in 1965.
He also performed his duties as a teacher, lecturer and professor of English in provincial education department in 1954. After this he joined West Pakistan Civil Service in 1968 as assistant political officer. He retired in 1990 after serving in many districts of NWFP as assistant commissioner, deputy commissioner and additional commissioner for 22 years.
His first Urdu poetry collection ‘Diyaar e Shab’ came up in 1976. Diyaar-e-Shab was a best-selling book of that year and got many awards like ‘Abbasin Arts Council Award’ for best book of the year. He published eight Urdu poetry collections and one English poetry collection. All his books sold out like hot cakes.
He also wrote many plays and documentaries for Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan. He permanently settled in Dera Ismail Khan, NWFP. Poetry, music and educational social work had been the affection of his life. He remained a member of Senate, association and selection board of ‘Gomal University’ for years. ‘Love for all and hatred for none’ had been moving forces of his life.
Saeed participated in various colloquiums in Pakistan and abroad.