End of an era: Famed humourist Mushtaq Ahmad Yusufi dies in Karachi

KARACHI - Pakistan's famous  writer Mushtaq Ahmad Yusufi breathed his last at the age of 94 in Karachi on Wednesday.

The celebrated humour writer was born on September 4, 1923 and has under his belt numerous recognitions including Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Sitara-e-Hilal -  two of the most coveted arts awards in Pakistan.

He also received Pakistan Academy of Letters Award for 'Best Book' in 1990, Hijra Award and Adamjee Award.

Yousufi was suffering from protracted ailment from couple of years and had not been participating in public events.

Recently the satirist was shifted to a Karachi hospital for treatment of pneumonia.

His notable books include Chiragh Talay, Khakam-ba-dahan, Zarguzasht, Aab-i-gum, Sham-e-Shair-e-Yaaraan.

He joined Muslim Commercial Bank in 1950, rose to the position of Deputy General Manager. Later on he joined Allied Bank in 1965 as Managing Director.

In 1974 he became president of United bank. He was also awarded Quaid-e-Azam memorial medal for his distinguished services in banking sector.

He was widely lauded by the literary fraternity with the most noticeable comment passed by bn-e-Insha, who said: "...if ever we could give a name to the literary humour of our time, then the only name that comes to mind is that of Yusufi!"

Condolences Pour In

As soon as the literary giant passed away, twitter mourned his death with renowned figures writing heartfelt one liners:

https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1009425095704576000

https://twitter.com/ChMSarwar/status/1009421104526581762

https://twitter.com/SMQureshiPTI/status/1009418382729412608

https://twitter.com/ShirazHassan/status/1009415665751642114

#MushtaqAhmedYousafi

عالم جاں کنی کا ہو اور چہرے پر تبسم ہو یہ ہنر صرف یوسفی ہی جانتے تھے pic.twitter.com/ATkCgXd3a6

— Ammar Masood (@ammarmasood3) June 20, 2018

#MushtaqAhmedYousafi

عالم جاں کنی کا ہو اور چہرے پر تبسم ہو یہ ہنر صرف یوسفی ہی جانتے تھے pic.twitter.com/ATkCgXd3a6

— Ammar Masood (@ammarmasood3) June 20, 2018

#MushtaqAhmadYousufi

زبان و بیان اور مہذب طنز و مزاح کا ایک عہد کار ساز بھی اپنے ساتھ لے گئے

لگتا ہے کچھ بھی نہ کہا اور سب کچھ کہہ بھی گئے

کیا قلمی کاٹ تھی کہ تلوار کو پتہ نہ چلے کہ وہ کٹ چکی ہے
کیا انداز تکلم اور قوت گویائی تھی کہ ہر دل کو لگتا تھا کہ یہ بات تو میری تھی pic.twitter.com/noJBSVwcxb

— Shafi Naqi Jamie (@ShafiNaqiJamie) June 20, 2018

https://twitter.com/rehman_azhar/status/1009426168762822656

اُردو ادب اور مزاح نگاری کا ایک بہت بڑا باب آج بند ہوا۔ یُوسفی صاحب اپنے قارین کے قہقہوں میں ہمیشہ زندہ رہیں گے۔ pic.twitter.com/fe8SjYEqGj

— Syed Ali Haider (@SyedAliHaider13) June 20, 2018

https://twitter.com/vasaych/status/1009422802150191104

عہدِ یوسفی میں جیا کرتے تھے، اب حوالے باقی ہیں۔ اردو ادب کا ممتاز ترین عہد ختم ہوا۔ #RIPYousafiSb pic.twitter.com/Lo5HQKcKaI

— Ajmal Jami (@ajmaljami) June 20, 2018