ISLAMABAD  –  Eminent and internationally ac­claimed Siraiki poet Amanullah Ar­shad passed away after a prolonged illness, family sources confirmed. He had been suffering from heart disease and diabetes for a long time. Born in 1971 in Dera Dost Muham­mad Khai, Khair Shah (Zahir Pir), Tehsil Khanpur, District Rahim Yar Khan, Arshad emerged as a distinc­tive poetic voice of the Siraiki region. He was a disciple of noted Sufi poet Faiz Muhammad Dilchasp, whose spiritual influence lent depth and mysticism to his work. Amanullah Arshad’s poetry vividly reflected the sorrows of the land and human deprivation, while his enduring identity remained rooted in devo­tion to the Holy Prophet Muham­mad (peace be upon him). His notable collections include Akhain Khwab Jagaray, Arshad Day Doha­ray, Sik Da Sawan, Dhamal, Taidi­yan Yadaan, Aasra Faqeeran Da and Ilham Di Barish (a collection of Naat). His Naatia work earned him several honours, including the Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) Award. Fu­neral prayers were offered yester­day at 5pm in his native area of Dera Dost Muhammad (Zahir Pir), Tehsil Khanpur, District Rahim Yar Khan. A large number of social, literary, po­litical and religious figures attended the funeral.