Top artist artiste Rasheed Naz passed away

 Rasheed Naz, the acclaimed television and film artiste, died on Monday after a long illness. His age was 73.

He was buried at his ancestral graveyard on the Charsadda Road after his funeral prayers were offered there.

At the last funeral rites for the deceased, a large number of relatives, friends, well-wishers, artists, and journalists were present.

Rasheed Naz was famous for his acting skills, tall stature, and spirited looks, and he hails from Peshawar, Pakistan's inner city.

Over the past half-century, he has acted in radio and television plays in Hindko, Pashto, and Urdu, as well as some movies.

His services to the arts and culture were recognized by the government through the Presidential Pride of Performance Award.

A group of artists, which included Najibullah Anjum, Ishrat Abbas (son of pre-partition actor Khalil Khan and brother of Umar Daraz), Ejaz Meer, Khalid Khattak, and others, paid rich tribute to the deceased. It was called a huge loss to art and culture when he passed away.

Mahmood Khan, KP's chief minister, also sent his deepest condolences following the passing of a renowned artist.

He expressed his sympathies to the deceased's heirs in a condolence message posted here, adding that his contributions to the arts and culture would remain in memory forever.

It is his pray that the departed soul may be at peace forever and that the grieving family may have the courage to bear this irreparable loss with patience.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, expressed his grief and sorrow over the death of Rasheed Naz on Monday.

In his condolence message, the minister prayed for all of God's blessings for the bereaved family and the soul of the departed in eternal peace. Rashid is known for his distinctive acting style and his plays are popular among his fans, he said.

His death would never be able to compensate for the loss he left behind for the showbiz industry, he added.