Year in review: Notable personalities who left us in 2021

From Veteran journalist M Ziauddin to national icon Dr AQ Khan, ET remembers personalities who have touched many lives

As the year comes to an end, The Express Tribune remembers some of the country’s notable personalities who left us in 2021.

From entertainment, medicine to politics, their loss has left a gaping hole in the fields they immensely contributed towards.

Haseena Moin

Renowned dramatist and novelist Haseena Moin passed away in Karachi on March 26. She was 80. The renowned playwright had been battling cancer for the past few years.

Moin was perhaps one of the most celebrated playwrights and scriptwriters to come out of Pakistan and has several accolades under her belt.

These include the Pride of Performance award from the government for her services to the performing arts in the country. She also holds the distinction of penning Pakistan’s first original script, Kiran Kahani, in the early 1970s.

Kanwal Naseer

Legendary Radio and TV artist and renowned broadcaster Kanwal Naseer passed away on March 25 after a brief illness in Islamabad at the age of 73.

Born in 1948 in Lahore, Kanwal adorned various feathers in her cap as she was the first female anchor, first female newscaster, and first female announcer of the Pakistan Television.

Kanwal, who had joined the media at the age of 17, remained associated with PTV and Radio Pakistan for five decades.

Shaukat Ali

On April 2, popular Punjabi folk singer Shaukat Ali passed away after a protracted illness in Lahore, according to family sources.

Shaukat Ali was under treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Lahore after liver failure, his son Imran Shaukat had said.

Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan

Presidential Award-winning classical singer Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan passed away at the age of 81 in a Lahore hospital on April 9.

According to family sources, Khan was unwell for the past few days and suffered a heart attack, which resulted in his demise. His funeral prayers were offered in Shahdara Town.

Khan was born in a village in India’s Jalandhar district in 1940. While he did not belong to a renowned musical household, he became the harbinger of music in his family. He was the paternal uncle and mentor of Javed Bashir and Akbar Ali.

He was a prominent artist of the Kirana Gharana [one of the most prolific Indian classical khyal gharanas concerned with perfecting intonation of notes]. Khan received his primary music education from his paternal uncle Ghazanfar Ali Khan and he called Ustad Amir Khan Indore his spiritual teacher.

IA Rehman

On April 12, vocal human rights defender and senior journalist Ibn-e-Abdul Rehman, popularly known as IA Rehman, passed away at the age of 90 in Lahore.

According to his family, Rehman was suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Born in Haryana in 1930, Rehman began his career as a journalist and later joined the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) as its director and later as the secretary-general.

Considered a human rights stalwart, also a regular columnist, Rehman kept highlighting sensitive issues to the best of his abilities till his last breath.

Allama Aun Naqvi

Renowned religious scholar Allama Aun Mohammad Naqvi passed away in Karachi on April 15. He was 56.

According to his close associates, Allama Aun Naqvi was hospitalised for more than two weeks after getting ill.

His funeral prayers were offered at Imambargah Shah Karbala Trust in Karachi's Old Rizvia. He was buried in Wadi-e-Hussain graveyard.

Gunga Saain

Famous dhol player Gunga Saeen died of a heart attack on April 19. The celebrated artist was known to perform at the shrine of his ‘spiritual guide’ Baba Shah Jamal.

Located in the heart of Lahore, in the area of Icchra, Gunga was mostly seen dancing to the rhythm of his dhol at the aforementioned shrine. Soon after the news of his death broke, many took to social media and paid homage to the late dhol player.

IGP Nasir Durrani

Former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Inspector General Police (IGP) Nasir Khan Durrani passed away after developing Covid-19 related complications.

Durrani also served as Chairman Punjab Police Reforms Commission in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

During his tenure as the K-P IGP, Durrani had restructured the Department of Counter-Terrorism (DCT) in the province, which functioned independently and also had the legal power to detain suspects for up to 90 days.

Farooq Qaiser

On May 14, renowned artist Farooq Qaiser, who became famous for his character as "Uncle Sargam", had passed away in Islamabad after suffering a heart attack. He was 75.

Uncle Sargam was a household name for Pakistani children of the 80s and 90s with his prominent puppet show Kaliyan at that time.

Begum Naseem Wali

Begum Naseem Wali Khan, former provincial president of the Awami National Party (ANP) and widow of the late party leader Abdul Wali Khan passed away on May 16.

The veteran politician was suffering from diabetes and heart ailments.

She had been elected to the provincial assembly three times in the past.

Farhad Humayun

Overload's frontman Farhad Humayun passed away on June 8, the band announced on social media.

Taking to the Facebook page, a post read, "The magnificent Farhad Humayun left us for the stars this morning. Stoic in the face of challenges, uncompromising in his values, generous to a fault, witty as hell! Fadi was far too ahead of his time, both in spirit and art."

Khursheed Shahid

Highly-acclaimed and veteran TV and film star Begum Khursheed Shahid passed away on June 28 after battling a prolonged disease. She was 95.

Salman Shahid, Khursheed’s son, had confirmed the news of her passing. Her funeral was held in Defense Phase 2 in Karachi, following which her body was laid to rest in a Phase 7 cemetery.

Maulana Iskander

On June 30, prominent Islamic scholar Maulana Abdur Razzaq Iskander, president of the Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabia, had passed away in Karachi.

Maulana Iskander was 87 and had been under treatment at a local hospital for some time.

Anwar Iqbal

Renowned television and stage actor Anwar Iqbal Baloch passed away in Karachi on July 2 after a protracted illness. He was 71.

His funeral prayer was offered after Isha at Baitul Moqaram mosque and he was laid to rest in Mewa Shah graveyard in Karachi.

Iqbal’s notable works include Pul Siraat, Rista Anjana Se, and Hina Ki Khushboo. While he was a critically acclaimed actor, Iqbal’s Balochi film Hammal O Mahganj, which he produced, sparked controversy and was subsequently forced to stop screening. He was, however, lauded for his historical roles, by not only the public but also veteran PTV director Agha Nasir, who was impressed by his portrayal of Shiwani Khan in TV serial Babur.

Iqbal became a prominent actor with his memorable role in Shama as "Nana ki Jan Qamru”. He acted in countless Urdu and Sindhi plays and even directed a few along the way. His debut as a director began with the serial Ishq Pecha in 1984.

Asma Nabeel

A post made on Asma Nabeel’s Facebook page broke the news of the screenwriter’s passing on July 2.

Although Asma’s body of work is limited, her impact and popularity are undeniable. The screenwriter worked on the hit show Khaani, as well as several other television serials, including Khuda Mera Bhi Hai, Baandi and Surkh Chandni.

Asma wrote strong characters who were part of important stories on pertinent topics, with Surkh Chandni depicting the life of an acid attack victim and how she speaks up against the injustice done to her. It also acknowledges and emphasises the legislation of acid and burns crime bills.

Naveed Alam

Former hockey Olympian and member of the victorious 1994 Sydney World Cup team Naveed Alam breathed his last on July 13 after losing his battle with blood cancer.

Naveed’s condition deteriorated after undergoing chemotherapy at Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore and later he was pronounced dead.

The 47-year-old served as head coach of the Bangladesh national team and also worked as Director Domestic of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

Mamnoon Hussain

On July 14, former president of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain had passed away at a private hospital in Karachi. He was 80 years old.

Arsalan Mamnoon, his son, told the media that his father had been hospitalised for the last two weeks prior to his demise to receive medical treatment for cancer.

Mumtaz Bhutto

Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, 88, a veteran politician and a cousin and close aide of former prime minister and PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, breathed his last on July 18 in Karachi.

Mumtaz had served as Sindh governor from 1971 to 1972 and then as the provincial chief minister from 1972 to 1973.

Nayla Jaffry

Veteran Pakistani actor Nayla Jaffry passed away on July 17 after losing her battle against ovarian cancer.

The actor, whose career spanned over decades, had appealed to the government to help aid her treatment expenses.

Arif Nizami

Veteran journalist and former caretaker federal minister Arif Nizami passed away in Lahore on July 21.

The journalist was under treatment for a heart-related ailment at a private hospital for some time.

Nizami was the founder and the editor of the English newspaper Pakistan Today. He also served as the caretaker federal minister for information and postal service in 2013.

Durdana Butt

Veteran actor Durdana Butt passes away on August 12. She was 83.

Butt had been battling cancer. She is best known for her roles in the dramas Fifty Fifty, Aangan Terha, Ruswai, Intezaar and Tanhaiyaan.

Dr Rubina Saigol

Pakistani author, feminist and one of the pioneering members of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF) Dr Rubina Saigol passed away on August 21.

The Lahore chapter of the WAF took to their Twitter account to announce the news.

“With profound grief and sorrow, WAF Lahore regrets to inform that our beloved Rubina Saigol has passed away”, they wrote, maintaining that she touched many lived and left a huge mark behind.

The WAF pledged to honour her memory and carry on the struggle.

Talat Iqbal

Renowned actor Talat Iqbal passed away in Dallas on September 24. According to sources, Iqbal had been on the ventilator for a while due to worsening health.

Iqbal and his wife Sumbul Iqbal were touted to be the famous onscreen and offscreen couple back in the day. The actor started his career with Radio Pakistan in 1968. He then went on to work in multiple dramas, such as, Shikast Aarzu, Do Duni Paanch, Aakhri Chatan, Aabgeenay, Kaif-e-Baharan, Karvaan and Ab Dekh Khuda Kya Karta Hai.

Iqbal moved to the United States with his family in 1999. During this time, Talat Iqbal visited Pakistan several times. A few days prior to his demise, his daughter Sarah had passed away and the shock of it played a vital part in his worsening condition.

Umer Sharif

Veteran comedian Umer Sharif, with a career spanning over five decades and an influence to match, passed away on October 23 after a prolonged illness.

Credited with spreading laughter within Pakistan, as well as beyond its borders, Sharif’s loss is one that has sent reverberations across the world.

The comedian, who had been undergoing treatment in Germany for heart and kidney ailments, succumbed to his illness at the age of 66 despite being flown abroad on a priority basis by the government following a video request by Sharif.

Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan

Pakistan's eminent nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan -- also known as the “father of the country’s atomic weapons programme” -- passed away on Oct 10 in Islamabad at the age of 85.

The funeral prayers of the deceased scientist were offered at Faisal Mosque with state honours and he was later buried at a graveyard in Sector H-8.

Several people, including cabinet members, lawmakers and military officers, attended the funeral prayers.

Pappu Sain

Dhol player Pappu Sain, known for his power-packed performances at the shrine of Baba Shah Jamal and beyond, passed away on November 7 in Lahore, following a prolonged illness.

The musician had been battling liver cancer, due to which he had been shifted to the ICU of a local hospital. Internationally renowned, the dhol maestro earned mainstream recognition following his former stint with the band Overload.

The news of Pappu Sain’s passing comes shortly after Overload frontman Farhad Humayun’s death in June.

Driven by love for his craft, Pappu Sain was awarded the Tamgha e Imtiaz for his services to cultural production in Pakistan. The dhol player performed at several international venues, including those in the US, UK, Canada, UAE, Sweden and Germany.

Apart from performing, Pappu Sain was also a teacher of the dhol. Born Zulfiqar Ali, the musician adopted the name Pappu Sain later on. With a career spanning over four decades, he dedicated his success solely to his spiritual master Baba Shah Jamal, considering his weekly performances at the shrine a spiritual duty.

Suhail Asghar

Veteran actor Sohail Asghar passed away in Lahore on November 13. Asghar had been battling health issues for some time now, having had gastric surgery recently as well.

Born and raised in the same city, Asghar started off his career in the showbiz industry as an RJ for Radio Pakistan, where he worked for a decade from 1978 to 1988, following which he started acting in theatre productions. He was known for his roles in TV serials, such as, Laag, Piyas, Chand Girhan, Khuda ki Basti and Kajal Ghar. Asghar made his film debut in 2003.

Muhammad Ziauddin

Senior Journalist Muhammad Ziauddin passed away at the age of 83, following an illness in Islamabad on November 29.

In his over 60-year-long career, Ziauddin had worked extensively for almost all major newspapers of Pakistan – The Muslim, The News, Dawn and The Express Tribune.

Born in 1938 in Madras, Ziauddin along with his family had moved to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) following partition and had studied BSc in Pharmacy at the Dhaka University. It was in 1960 when he had moved to Pakistan and three years later had joined Karachi University to study journalism.

Dr Tahir Shamsi

Renowned Hematologist Professor Dr Tahir Shamsi has passed away on December 21 at the age of 60.

Dr Shamsi was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for a brain haemorrhage and had been on a ventilator.

Shamsi was born on February 18, 1962. He memorised the Holy Quran when he was only eight-year-old and graduated in 1988 from Dow Medical College, Karachi.

He received his postgraduate degree from the United Kingdom and his higher education from the Royal College of Pathologists.