Lahore: The 20th death anniversary of renowned poet and literary scholar Ahmad Shah Awan, commonly known as Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, was observed on Friday. Born on November 20, 1916, in the village of Anga in the Khushab District, Qasmi left an indelible mark on the literary landscape of Pakistan.

According to Radio Pakistan, Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was not only a poet but also made significant contributions as a literary scholar and scriptwriter for Radio Pakistan. His illustrious career earned him numerous accolades, including the Pride of Performance award, Pakistan Academy of Letters' lifetime achievement award, and the prestigious civil award, Sitara-i-Imtiaz.

Qasmi's prolific writing career saw him author around fifty books spanning poetry, journalism, fiction, and art. He was known for his mastery of both ghazals and nazms, with celebrated poetry collections such as "Jalal-o-Jamal," "Shola-i-Gul," and "Kisht-i-Wafa." His contributions to short story writing are equally noteworthy, with collections like "Chopaal," "Sannata," "Kapaas ka Phool," "Bagolay," "Tal-o-Gharoob," "Sailab-o-Gardab," "Anchal," and "Ghar se Ghar tak" remaining popular among readers.

Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi passed away at the age of 89 on July 10, 2006, in Lahore, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire and influence the world of literature.