Renowned for his spiritualistic approach towards life, Ashfaq Ahmed who was a distinguished writer, playwright, broadcaster and an intellectual, was remembered on his death anniversary on Friday. Ashfaq Ahmed was born on August 22, 1925 in Garhmukteshwar village in Ghaziabad, British India. His prime qualities of emotional intelligence and magical writing earned him appreciation from across the border. He was regarded by many as the best Urdu Afsana (short-story) writer after Saadat Hasan Manto, Ismat Chughtai and Krishan Chander following the publication of his famous short-story “Gaddarya” in 1955. In 1962, Ashfaq Ahmed started his popular radio program, ‘Talqeen Shah’ which made him immensely popular among the urban and rural people. It was a weekly feature that ran for three decades which is the longest weekly radio show in the subcontinent. He was appointed director of the Markazi Urdu Board in 1966, which was later renamed as the Urdu Science Board. He held the post for 29 years and remained with the board until 1979. In the 60s, he produced a feature film called “Dhoopaur Saie” which was not very successful at the box office. His popular TV plays include Aik Muhabbat Sau Afsanay, Uchhay Burj Lahore Dey, Tota Kahani, Lekin, Hairat Kadah and Mun Chalay Ka Sauda.
