Islamabad: The forty-third death anniversary of veteran poet and author of Pakistan’s national anthem, Hafeez Jalandhari, is being observed today. Born in 1900, Hafeez Jalandhari played an active role in the Pakistan Movement through his writings and migrated to Lahore after independence.

According to Radio Pakistan, he wrote the lyrics of the national anthem in 1952. He also penned the Kashmiri anthem ‘Watan Hamara Azad Kashmir’ and composed several patriotic songs during the 1965 war.

In recognition of his valuable literary and patriotic services, he was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Pride of Performance. Hafeez Jalandhari passed away in Lahore on this day in 1982.