A man of letters, wit and prose: Saba Hamid, Simi Raheal, others mourn demise of Shoaib Hashmi

Veteran playwright died on Monday after fighting a prolonged illness

Veteran playwright, intellectual, educator, and comedian Shoaib Hashmi passed away on Monday following a prolonged illness, reported Express News. He was 84 years old. Shoaib, a renowned figure in the theatre world, was widely recognised for his significant contributions to Pakistan Television (PTV) with popular shows such as Akkar Bakkar, Sach Gupp, and Taal Matol.

Shoaib’s death was largely mourned on social media. PTV, the channel that he widely contributed to, took to Twitter and remarked how there will “never be anyone quite like” the playwright again. “A man of letters, words, humour, wit and prose - the legend Shoaib Hashmi has passed away after a prolonged illness,” the national broadcaster’s Twitter handle read.

نامور ڈرامہ نویس، اداکار شعیب ہاشمی انتقال کرگئے
شعیب ہاشمی نے لازوال ڈرامے لکھے،وہ ایک عظیم استاد تھے
شعیب ہاشمی نے الحمراء میں بھی بطور سیکرٹری اپنی خدمات بھی نبھائیں
حکومت نے شعیب ہاشمی کی خدمات کے اعتراف میں انہیں پرائیڈ آف پرفارمنس اور تمغہ ِ امتیاز سے نوازا pic.twitter.com/PN0DW0cTkr

— PTV Home (@PTVHomeOfficial) May 15, 2023

“A Masters in Economics from Government College, Lahore, MSc from the London School of Economics, he studied theatre from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London - there will never be anyone quite like Shoaib Hashmi.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, too, expressed grief over Shoaib’s demise. Sympathising with Muniza Hashmi, Saleema Hashmi and other members of the bereaved family, he noted that Shoaib “made a remarkable contribution to the golden era of Pakistan Television and also introduced new dynamics in the comic programs.”

As per the Associated Press of Pakistan, the premier further added, “Shoaib Hashmi wrote historic and unforgettable plays which highlighted great values, traditions and ideologies. Writers and intellectuals like Shoaib Hashmi taught manners and ethics to society. His death is a huge loss the society, art and literature.” The PM concluded with prayers for the departed soul and for strength for his family to bear the loss.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also shared a condolence message. “He was the creator of PTV’s early programmes. The services of Shoaib Hashmi for the showbiz industry, including the teaching profession will always be remembered,” she stated.

Veteran actor Simi Raheal took to Instagram to pen a long, emotional note on Instagram. “The imagineer, the creative genius, the one who was more – just more,” she wrote. “When I think of Shoaib Hashmi, floodgates to memories open. I knew him well and long. I was honoured and privileged to be part of his family. There will be no other like him.”

Remembering the legend for the “beautiful man” that he was, she continued, “He was a beautiful man with a golden heart, an unmatched wit, superior intellect and vocabulary. No one can match what he created for the media. He was a trailblazer and a cultural heritage in his own right. His creativity was boundless like his love for cinema, music and poetry. He was the epitome of the term fine gentleman.”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Simiraheal (@simi_raheal_official)

The actor hoped that Shoaib’s friends, family and children – and everyone else he influenced throughout his life – “carry his genius within.” She concluded, “Though, in very small measures, his influence and his ideology will forever be an integral part of us all.”

Actor Saba Hamid remarked that it “was a blessing to know” Hashmi. “It’s heartbreaking news. May you rest in eternal peace, Shoaib sahib,” she wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Indeed, it was a blessing to know him, heartbreaking news, may you rest in eternal peace sohaib sahib💔 https://t.co/NR59Y5qQ5T

— Saba Hamid (@Sabhamid) May 15, 2023

Khaled Anam also tweeted the news of Hashmi’s passing on Twitter and called it an “irreplaceable loss.”

Irreparable loss..💔#shoaibhashmi pic.twitter.com/rHw6e8WwjM

— khaled anam خالد انعم (@khaledanam1) May 15, 2023

Artist Daniyal Raheal, Simi’s son, shared a black and white clip from Hashmi’s iconic comedy show.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Daniyal Raheal (@daniyalraheal)

“Shoaib Hashmi or pappi to those he loved (of which there are many) left us today. His impact on the history of Pakistan’s pop culture is unprecedented. Please say a prayer for his family. May the heavens resound with his booming laugh and quick wit,” he wrote on Instagram.