Karachi: Master thespian, broadcaster, author, orator and legend Zia Mohyeddin passed away here. He was admitted to intensive care unit of hospital. According to his family, Mohyeddin was on life support and passed away at 6:30am. His funeral prayers was held at Masjid-o-Yasrab at Zuhr. He was 91. Born on June 20, 1931 in Lyallpur modern-day Faisalabad Mohyeddin spent his early life in Kasur and Lahore.

 After receiving his training from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London from 1953 to 1956, he made his film debut with Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. Film saw him as Tafas Arab guide who is shot by Omar Sharif for drinking water from wrong well. He continued to work as an actor in United Kingdom with films like Behold the Pale Horse (1964) and Immaculate Conception (1992). Upon his return to Pakistan in late '60s, Mohyeddin starred in Mujrim Kon (1970), which marked his local big screen debut.

He went on to produce some timeless pieces of programming for PTV and hosted hugely popular television talk show, The Zia Mohyeddin Show. Later, he was appointed Director of PIA Arts Academy in 1973, role he held until 1977. Due to heavy censorship during General Zia-ul-Haq's dictatorship, Mohyeddin returned to UK in late 70s. Refusing to slow down, he produced Central Television's (now ITV Central's) flagship multicultural programme, Here and Now a weekly magazine series highlighting culture and lifestyle of various minority communities. Programme ran from 1986 to 1989.

He was also conferred with Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2003 and Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2012.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 15 2023

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