Pakistani Veteran actor, Zia Mohyeddin passed away at 91

The First ever Pakistani actor to work in Hollywood, Zia Mohyeddin, left us for his heavenly abode. The actor who made his debut through 1962’ Lawrence of Arabia passed away after a brief illness on Monday at the age of 91.

The veteran director, and TV host, was admitted to a hospital in Karachi after he complained of abdominal pain and fever. After a surgical procedure, Zia was later shifted on life support. The actor’s family revealed that he breathed last at around 6:30 a.m.

His funeral prayers will be offered after Zuhr in Karachi’s Defence Phase IV at the Imambargah Yasrab, the Dawn newspaper reported. The actor who worked alongside Indian icon, Shashi Kapoor in the “Bombay Talkies” was born in Lyallpur, Punjab, British India.

Zia performed the role of Hari, the on-screen best friend of Kapoor’s character, in 1970s Indian movie. Apart from working in the television industry and for the British cinema, Zia also appeared in Pakistani Movies. He was widely known among Pakistani citizens for his popular TV talk show “Zia Mohyeddin Show.”

In 2005, the internationally renowned actor set up a National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) IN Karachi, wherein he trained a number of budding artists. Apart from acting, he is also known to be a writer who had published 3 books namely – A Carrot is a Carrot’, ‘Theatrics’ and ‘The God of My Idolatry Memories and Reflections.’

Zia had also wrote columns for a number of newspapers. In 2012, the veteran actor was awarded with Hilal-e-Imtiaz, that is the second highest civilian honour in Pakistan.

Our deepest condolences with the family and friends of Zia Mohyeddin. May his departed soul rest in peace!