Riaz ur Rehman Saghar

Early life Riaz-ur-Rehman Saghar was born on 1 December 1941 in Bathinda, Punjab, British India to Maulvi Muhammad Azeem and Sadiqan Bibi. In 1947, his family emigrated to Pakistan as refugees following the partition of India. During the journey, Saghar's father was murdered by a Sikh extremist, and his infant brother died of starvation.

Publications Song books Main Nay Jo Geet Likhay

Prose Woh Bhi Kia Din Thay (autobiography) Lahore Ta Bombay Brasta Delhi (Travelogue of India) Sarkari Mehmaan Khaana (Book on events inside Jail)

Poetry Chand Jharoke Mein Piare Piare Geet Hamare Arz Kia Hai, Sur Sitarey Aangan Aangan Taray ( Poems in this book were presented on PTV for children. All poems started from Urdu alphabets. Federal Ministry of Education also instructed all syllabus book boards to utilize this book).

Awards and recognition Saghar has received many awards in recognition of his services to the film industry of Pakistan. Prominent ones are: National Film Award PTV Award Cultural Graduate Award Nigar Award in 1995 for Best Film Song Lyricist in the film Sargam (1995 film) Bolan Award

Death and legacy After being ill for a few months, Riaz ur Rehman Saghar lost his battle to cancer in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore on 1 June 2013 and was laid to rest in Kareem Block, Iqbal Town, Lahore graveyard on 2 June 2013. "He could write a poem in 10 to 15 minutes no matter how noisy it was." said a Pakistani journalist Sajid Yazdani who had associated with him for 10 to 15 years. Among his survivors were a wife and a daughter.

Veteran Pakistani musician Arshad Mehmood (composer) said at his death that he was one of the poets who understood music as much as he understood poetry.

Books Saghar, Riaz-ur-Rehman Woh bhi kia din thay (Autobiography)