Sir: In the duration of one month, the showbiz and literary world has lost many icons. This time the versatile writer Abdul Hameed who wrote under the name A Hameed passed away in Lahore. He was on a ventilator since April 3, 2011. Born in 1928 in Amritsar, A Hameed contributed a lot towards radio and television as well as Urdu literature. A Hameed was an intelligent writer, a philanthropist and a patriotic Pakistani. His novels portrayed patriotism. His travelogues, short stories were very popular. In the early 1950s, his short book Manzil Manzil got appreciation from Urdu critics. He wrote in a simple style and was very eloquent in expressing his views. He wrote three books on Lahore, narrating how he found the great city after partition and how rich it was in gardens, flowers, fragrance, and greenery. Abdul Hameed had almost completed his autobiography named Chhor Aye Wo Galyan before falling seriously ill. It is hoped that his heirs will publish this treasured work of the great writer. May his soul rest in peace. IFTIKHAR SHAHEEN MIRZA Islamabad