LAHORE: Veteran playwright, actor and Professor Shoaib Hashmi breathed his last on Monday, Shoaib Hashmi who had been bedridden for the last 14 years, breathed his last on Monday.

Shoaib Hashmi’s health condition was not stable as he had suffered a stroke 14 years ago, after which he had been on bed, unable to speak or walk by himself.

Shoaib Hashmi had written and acted in popular dramas of the 1970s. Shoaib Hashmi’s famous dramas included ‘Akkar Bakkar’, ‘Sach Gup’, ‘Taal Matol’ and ‘Balila’. In 1990, Shoaib Hashmi used to write a column in a newspaper under the title ‘Taal Matol’.

Shoaib Hashmi had received the best performance award in 1995 and was also honoured with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. He completed Masters of Arts in Economics at Government College (now Government College University), Lahore. He received his MSc degree from London School of Economics (LSE) and studied theatre at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London.

He married Salima Hashmi, the daughter of renowned Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. The couple had two children from the wedlock.

Hashmi was known for his comedy shows of 1970s. He had taught economics at GCU, Lahore and Lahore School for Economics.

In acknowledgement of his services, he had been conferred Pride of Performance and Medal of Excellence.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Syed Mohsin Naqvi and Governor Punjab Baligh ur Rehman expressed grief over the sad demise of prominent teacher, playwright, comedian Shoaib Hashmi. The Prime Minister sympathized with Muniza Hashmi, Saleema Hashmi and other members of the bereaved family of Shoaib Hashmi, who was also the son-in-law of renowned poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023