Veteran actor, director and television host Zia Mohyeddin passed away at the age of 91 in Karachi on Monday. According to his family, Zia Mohyeddin was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Karachi due to fever and severe abdominal pain. It was later found in ultrasound that he was having intestinal issues. The actor then underwent an operation and was shifted to the intensive care ward (ICU) of the hospital. The funeral prayer of late Zia Mohyeddin will be offered at Imam bargah Yasrab in Defense Phase. According to his family, Mohyeddin was ill and on life support at a hospital in the city. He breathed his last at 6:30am today. Born on June 20, 1931, Mohyeddin is considered a legend when it comes to broadcasting, poetry and prose recitation, acting and theatre direction.

Once the spearhead and later the president of Napa in Karachi, he mentored hundreds of students now working in TV production. He appeared on both Pakistani cinema and television as well as on British cinema and television throughout his career. Mohyeddin was also the first Pakistani ever to work in Hollywood. Some of his most memorable performances include the Lawrence of Arabia with director David Lean, followed by Behold the Pale Horse in 1964 with director Fred Zinnemann, and later Immaculate Conception in 1992 with director Jamil Dehlavi. Mohyeddin was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the second-highest civilian honour in the country, in 2012 for his contribution to the field of art. He has also authored three books namely A Carrot is a Carrot, Theatrics and The God of My Idolatry Memories and Reflections.

He introduced a unique vocal style to present Urdu literature in an attractive way. In 2004, he organized the National Academy of Performing Arts in Karachi. Mushtaq Yusufi, a well-known humorist of Urdu literature, said that "Zia Mohiuddin is the only literary figure whose style of reading and speaking got world fame". Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief at the news and extended condolences to the grieving family. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier said that Mohyeddin’s art was “one of its kind” and his unique style was admired not just in Pakistan but across the world. “It is sad that a person with many beautiful qualities has left society. Zia Mohyeddin’s voice will keep resonating in our hearts and minds,” he said.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP