Celebrities mourn Kanwal Naseer’s death
Radio and TV legend Kanwal Naseer passed away on Thursday, in Islamabad, following a prolonged illness. She was 73 years old.
Naseer was not only known as an exemplary TV personality but was also the first female anchor, announcer and newscaster to come out of Pakistan. Born in 1948, she entered the media industry at the mere age of 17, with state-owned broadcaster PTV and Radio Pakistan, both of which she was associated with for five decades. Pakistan forayed into the age of television broadcasting on November 26, 1964, with Naseer making the first announcement alongside Tariq Aziz.
She is also the recipient of several accolades, including the Pride of Performance. Not many know that Naseer was the daughter of well-known actor Mohini Hameed (Apa Shamim) and the mother-in-law of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Secretary Information Ahmed Jawad.
Showbiz personalities and public figures mourned Naseer’s tragic passing on Twitter. Actor Humayun Saeed wrote, “Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Kanwal Naseer sahiba. She was an icon and will always remain one. Heartfelt condolences to her family. May Allah bless her soul.” Adnan Siddiqui chimed in, writing, “Sad start to the weekend. We’ve lost two women who embodied the spirit of woman power long before it became fashionable. Haseena Moin and Kanwal Naseer, your work will live on to inspire generations.”
Popular news presenter Sana Bucha tweeted, “RIP Kanwal Naseer, you were such an inspiration. May u be blessed with the highest place in Jannah! Ameen.” Lollywood star Sana Fakhar penned, “Truly the end of an era,” accompanying her post with a heartbreak emoji.
Fawad Chaudhry was among the first to break the news on the micro-blogging site. He posted, “The first female voice of PTV, the legendary Kanwal Naseer is no more. RIP.” Provincial Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs for Punjab, Basharat Raja also tweeted, “Deeply saddened on the death of Pakistan's first female announcer and drama artist Kanwal Naseer. She gave invaluable services to Pakistan Television that will always be remembered. May Allah forgive her and give patience to the family.”
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani actor Vasay Chaudhry also shared his two cents on the social networking platform. “RIP Haseen Moin and Kanwal Naseer Sahiba. May Allah bless your soul,” he posted. Vice Chancellor of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Adil Najam, tweeted, “RIP #KanwalNaseer and #HaseenaMoin. Two trailblazing role models and amazingly graceful and gracious mentors to so many. In their own different ways, both made so much possible for so many; quietly and always with a smile. Thank you both.”
A user on Twitter concluded with a gentle reminder for all, “90s kids will always remember her, especially the morning show she used to host, end of an era. May Allah bless you.”