Pakistan's stars that fade away in 2022

For whom the bell tolls

By Abdullah Bin Shehzad

LAHORE – As time moves forward, we create new memories and experience both gains and losses. This includes losing significant people in our lives, whether they are loved ones or individuals we admire. In 2022, Pakistan has lost notable individuals who will be greatly missed.

Pakistan experienced the loss of several important individuals in the year and they will always be remembered. Each person holds a unique importance and their absence will be deeply felt. They were the ones who achieved great success and recognition in their careers and made significant contributions to the world through their actions, words and ideas.

We have compiled a list of notable individuals who have passed away this year.

Rasheed Naz

A known artist of Pakistan showbiz industry, Rasheed Naz passed away on Jan 17 at the age of 73.

Born in Peshawar in 1948, Rasheed Naz had a fruitful career of over 40 years. In 1971, he started his television career as an actor in Pushto television play. His first Urdu play was “Aik Tha Gaoon” (1973). His first popular play was “Namoos”. He also worked in Pakistan s first private television play “Dasht”, telecast on NTM. 

The celebrated star has worked in several Pashto, Hindko and Urdu language plays. Apart from Urdu projects, Naz worked in his first Pashto film “Zama Jang” (Meri Jang) in 1988.

Bushra Rehman

Novelist-turned-politician Bushra Rehman passed away on Feb 7 in Lahore after a protracted illness. She was 78.

Born in 1944, she did her master s in journalism from the Punjab University. She was elected four times member of parliament - thrice as a member of the Punjab Assembly and once as a member of the National Assembly. 

Besides, she was also a recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz for her literary work as she had written 26 novels during her life span. Her death was mourned in political and literary circles including at the Alhamra Arts Council.

Rehman Malik

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior politician and former interior minister Rehman Malik passed away at the age of 70 on Feb 23.

He died of Covid-19-related complications at a hospital in Islamabad. He is survived by his widow and two sons.

The PPP senator, who had received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Karachi, served as the interior minister of the country from 2008 to 2013. Born in 1951, Rehman Malik hailed from Sialkot.

Dr Mehdi Hasan

Professor of Mass Communication Dr Mehdi Hasan passed away after a protracted illness on February 23. He was 85.

He is survived by his wife Rakhshanda Hasan and sons. 

Dr Hasan, who was awarded the most prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan in 2012 for his services in journalism — was a Pakistani left-wing journalist, media historian, dean of journalism and mass communication at the Beaconhouse National University and a professor of mass communication at the Punjab University. His teaching career spanned over 50 years.

Masood Akhtar

Veteran actor Masood Akhtar passed away in Lahore on March 5. The 82-year-old was battling lung cancer for a couple of months.

Akhtar was born on Sept 5, 1940, in Sahiwal. He played notable roles in various dramas, films and theatre plays. He was also the recipient of “Pride of Performance Award” for his artistic services.

Bilquis Edhi

Bilquis Bano Edhi, a renowned humanitarian and philanthropist, who was also the wife of Abdul Sattar Edhi, passed away at the age of 74 after a brief hospitalisation on April 15. She continued the mission of her husband -- the late Abdul Sattar Edhi -- and worked tirelessly. The country will miss the care and compassion with which she served the humanity. 

Ali Raza Sadpara

Veteran mountaineer Ali Raza Sadpara, who suffered injuries after falling from a mountain, passed away on May 27.

On May 17, mountaineer Ali Raza Sadpara had fallen off a mountain during a routine climbing practice session near his village in Gilgit and suffered serious injuries.

According to Ali Raza s family, he was under treatment at a hospital where he breathed his last.

Aamir Liaquat

Televangelist and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Aamir Liaquat passed away in Karachi on June 9.

Liaquat, 50, was found unconscious at his home at Khudad Colony and shifted to a private hospital in a critical condition. His domestic staff broke down his room s door when they did not receive any reply from him. Later, doctors said Liaquat was dead when he was brought to the hospital.

He was born on July 5, 1971, in Karachi, to politician Sheikh Liaquat Hussain and columnist Mahmooda Sultana.

Nayyara Noor

Renowned singer Nayyara Noor passed away at the age of 71 on Aug 20 in Karachi, after a brief illness. Noor, known as the "melody queen" of Pakistan, was one of the top playback singers in the country. Despite having no formal musical education or training, she demonstrated her innate singing talent throughout the subcontinent.

She was born on Nov 3, 1950, in Guwahati, Assam where she spent her early childhood. She was seven when her family migrated to Pakistan.

In 1973, she was awarded the Nigar Award for Best Playback Singer in the film “Gharana”. In 1977, her reputation peaked as the songs of the film “Aaina” touched the hearts of Pakistanis.

Manzoor Junior

The shining star of Pakistan Hockey, Olympian Manzoor Hussain Jr, passed away due to a heart attack on Aug 28.

Manzoor was undergoing treatment at a local hospital in Lahore due to a heart attack which he could not survive.

Asad Rauf

Former International Cricket Council’s (ICC) elite panel umpire from Pakistan Asad Rauf died at the age of 66 after suffering a cardiac arrest in Lahore on Sept 15.

Rauf had a substantial first-class career as a middle-order batter before he turned to umpiring, appearing for National Bank and Railways, averaging 28.76 from 71 first-class matches, the publication stated.

In his career as an umpire, Rauf officiated 64 Tests, 49 of which as on-field umpire and 15 as TV umpire, 139 ODIs and 28 T20Is.

Arshad Sharif

Senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif was shot dead by the Kenyan police in a “mistaken identity” case while he was travelling to Nairobi from the country’s Magadi Town on Oct 23. 

Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, Kenya, Anne Makori, held a press conference and confirmed that on the evening of Oct 23, a Pakistani journalist, Arshad Muhammad Sharif, 50, was shot by the Kenyan police within the limits of Kajiado County.

"There’s an alleged police killing of a Pakistani national at Tinga market, Kajiado county, last evening. Our rapid response team has already been dispatched," she said, adding that a probe related to the incident was under way and that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority would carry out a transparent investigation into the killing of Sharif.

Balakh Sher Mazari

Former caretaker prime minister Balakh Sher Mazari passed away on Nov 4. In 1993, Mazari served as caretaker prime minister after the government of Nawaz Sharif was dismissed by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan. However, his term ended shortly after the Supreme Court revoked the presidential order and reinstated Nawaz Sharif as prime minister.

Ismail Tara

Pakistani actor and comedian Ismail Tara passed away at the age of 73 in Karachi on Nov 24.

The legendary TV star, who shot to fame with his spectacular performance in Pakistani drama “Fifty Fifty”, was under treatment in a private hospital of Karachi.