Presenter, actor Tony Navaid Rashid passes away

Presenter, photographer and actor Tony Navaid Rashid passed away on Wednesday. His friend and renowned actor Resham confirmed the tragic news.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Resham shared a video while on her way to the funeral. Devastated, she told her followers, "My friend, my brother, more than my brother, Tony Navaid Rashid, whom I've spent a great deal of time with, has left this world. He was a source of happiness for so many, he would make people laugh, entertain them. I spoke to him yesterday only. We had a long conversation. He was watching an old clip of mine. He sent it to me, then voice messaged me, then called me."

In tears, the veteran requested her fans, "I urge you all to kindly pray for his maghfirat. May God make things easy for him in the hereafter."

As per reports, Rashid passed away due to a cardiac arrest. News of his sudden demise came as a shock to those in the entertainment fraternity. Actor Mishi Khan took to her Instagram account to offer her condolences.

Actor Maria Wasti also expressed her grief. "Rest in peace, Tony," she wrote on Instagram. "Can’t believe you left us so soon. You were larger than life and there was not a single boring moment around you. You will be missed dearly."

While actor Saba Qamar tweeted, "I'm shocked and saddened by the devastating news about Tony Navaid. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May Allah bless the departed soul."

Rashid's three decades in the showbiz have been dotted with milestones. Starting out as a culture reporter for an English language newspaper, his TV career began in 1999 with PTV. A man of many talents, Rashid was a "saucy" film critic known for his "jolly and fun-loving nature." In 2006, he shot to fame with his film review segment Malai Mar Ke. Rashid also did short acting stints in Teen Patti, Family Front and Mein Aisa Kyun Hoon.

He is most prominently remembered for a segment dedicated to Pakistani cinema in Nadia Khan’s morning show. Having spoken out plenty of times in favour of new artists, he also advocated for newer faces in the industry on the red carpet of Khuda Kay Liye.

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