Renowned Sindhi poet Dr. Akash Ansari dies in Hyderabad fire

Renowned Sindhi poet Dr. Akash Ansari, also known as Allah Bux, died on Saturday in Hyderabad after suffering severe burn injuries in a fire that broke out in his room.

The 69-year-old, who was asleep in his rented home in Citizen Colony, was discovered after family members attempted to extinguish the blaze.

Rescue 1122 teams arrived at approximately 8:55 am after receiving a call at 8:47 am, finding the room filled with dense smoke.

Initial reports suggest a short circuit may have triggered the fire, which completely destroyed the room’s contents, including furniture and the false ceiling.

According to eyewitness accounts, a heater was found near the head of Dr. Ansari, indicating he may have attempted to escape.

His body was recovered near the entrance, while his son and another family member sustained minor injuries during rescue efforts and were taken to Liaquat University Hospital.

Police have sealed the residence for further investigation, with a postmortem conducted by Dr. Imran Khawaja. SP Masood Iqbal is leading the inquiry to determine whether the incident was accidental or if foul play was involved.

Dr. Ansari, originally from Badin, was also known for his influential poetry of resistance and romanticism.

His literary contributions, celebrated by performances from artists like Abida Parveen, have left a lasting impact on Sindhi culture. Sindh Culture and Tourism Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah expressed profound sorrow and urged a thorough investigation.