Legendary playwright Shoaib Hashmi passes away at 84 in Lahore

Prominent intellectual, educator, and playwright Shoaib Hashmi passed away on Monday following an extended illness, according to his son's confirmation to a local publication. He was 84 years old.

Hashmi, a renowned figure in the theatre world, was widely recognized for his significant contributions to Pakistan Television (PTV) with popular shows such as Akkar Bakkar, Sach Gupp, and Taal Matol. Additionally, the celebrated playwright had a distinguished academic background, having obtained a master's degree in economics from Government College Lahore (GCL) and an MSc degree from the esteemed London School of Economics.

To further nurture his passion for the performing arts, he also pursued theatre studies at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Hashmi's talent and dedication were acknowledged through accolades such as the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz and the esteemed President's Award for Pride of Performance.

It is notable that Hashmi was the son-in-law of the legendary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz and the husband of Salima Hashmi. He is survived by his son and daughter. Hashmi captivated audiences with his engaging and humorous performances, always managing to capture the attention of those around him.

His humble, warm, and unassuming demeanour was among the most remarkable aspects of his personality. Nevertheless, it was his multifaceted nature expressed through various media platforms that became his trademark. Although Hashmi was highly regarded as an exceptional teacher and mentor, he is likely to be best remembered for his groundbreaking and witty television productions before the 1990s, as well as his witty columns.