ISLAMABAD: People gathered at the National Language Promotion Department on Wednesday to pay tribute to literary figures Munnu Bhai, Rasa Chughtai and Saqi Faroogi, who died his year.

Fateh Mohammad Malik, speaking at the memorial, said Munnu Bhai was never afraid while writing and there was no power than could have made him deviate from his stance.

He said he also had a very good relationship with Saqi Faroogi, and would write to him when they lived in different cities.

Poet Iftikhar Arif said all three personalities were beacons for followers, and their deaths were an irrecoverable loss to literary. He said Rasa Chughtal was able to see things critically, and also recalled time he spent with Saqi Faroogi in the United Kingdom.

Professor Jalil Aali said Munnu Bhai used to say that Pakistan was his first love and he would never compromise on it.

`His readers were people from all walks of life. In his articles and plays, he used to discuss the issues of poor people.

His drama Sona Chandi was very popular, and he also translated poetry of Palestinian poets,` he added. A Reporter