Munnu Bhai

Muneer Ahmed Qureshi (6 February 1933 – 19 January 2018), better known as Munnu Bhai, was a Pakistani newspaper journalist, columnist, poet and writer. He was awarded the Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2007 for his services to the nation. He died on 22 January 2018 in Lahore, aged 84. He was also rewarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Award on 23 March 2018 for his notable literary services.

Early life He was born as Muneer Ahmed Qureshi in Wazirabad, Punjab, British India on 6 February 1933. He also shared another fact about his life in that speech, "I have been a foster brother of a Sikh boy, Gurdutt Singh. His mother nursed me for 15 days or so, because my own mother was sick at that time", he told the audience at a ceremony titled in the Punjabi language 'Munnu Bhai Diyan Sattay Khairan' (lit: 'May Munnu Bhai be blessed in all aspects'). Tamanna, a UK-Pakistani production shot entirely in Pakistan with the soundtrack featuring Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is also written by Munnu Bhai. His name is mostly associated with column writing but Muneer Ahmed Qureshi or 'Munnu Bhai', as he is better known as, has put on paper a few of the most remembered and revered drama serials in Pakistani television history. He has been one of the most outstanding and consistent writers in Pakistan.

He also ventured into long plays, producing immensely entertaining plays such as ‘Gumshuda’ and ‘Khubsurat’ which were well received by the audience and drew favourable comments from the critics. He also wrote another renowned drama serial ‘Ashiyaana’ which was characterised by its buoyant and optimistic plot as well as for highlighting family values. His drama serial ‘Dasht’ was another one of his brilliant works and portrayed the life style, cultural traditions as well as the backwardness of the Balochi tribes based in Gwadar. A regular columnist for the Daily Jang newspaper, Munnu Bhai is considered to be among Pakistan's best and brightest columnists.

In 2014, he donated his personal library to Government College University, Lahore for their contribution to promotion of drama and literature.

A major Pakistani English-language newspaper commented after his death, "Apart from his work as a playwright and poet, he also stressed the need for a free media. He said that terrorism, poverty and social degradation could be eliminated by means of truthful journalism. He strongly believed that with time, journalism in Pakistan would mature and perform a constructive role in society."

A veteran Pakistani journalist I. A. Rehman commented about him at a 2013 event to honor Munnu Bhai, "Munnu Bhai always wrote to the purpose, to create awareness among the masses and to kindle hope among them even in worst circumstances."

Selected works

اجے قیامت نئیں آئی (*Ajay Qayamat Nahi Aayi*, The Doomsday Has Not Come Yet) – A Punjabi poetry collection published in 1977, reflecting themes of human struggle, injustice, and hope.

جنگل اُداس ہے (*Jungle Udaas Hai*, The Forest Is Sad) – An anthology of newspaper columns highlighting social injustice, human empathy, and political critique.

فلسطین، فلسطین (*Falasteen, Falasteen*, Palestine, Palestine) – A collection of writings focused on the Palestinian cause and broader issues of global oppression.

محبت کی ایک سو ایک نظمیں (*Mohabbat Ki 101 Nazmein*, 101 Poems of Love) – A poetic compilation exploring themes of love, longing, and emotional resilience.

انسانی منظرنامہ (*Insani Manzar Nama*, A Human Panorama) – A collection of translated and original essays reflecting on human dignity and social issues.

منو بھائی کے گریبان (*Munnu Bhai Ke Gareban*, In Munnu Bhai’s Collar) – A selection of his signature newspaper columns under the title "Gareban", offering commentary on everyday lives and moral conscience.