Veteran television producer Athar Viqar Azeem who served as the current affairs director of the Pakistan Television (PTV) passed away on Sunday due to heart failure. He was 76.
He is survived by his son and will be laid to rest Tuesday (tomorrow).
During his long career at the national television, Azeem also served as its Karachi Centre general manager. He produced television interviews of different heads of state as well as government, sports and show business celebrities, including Dilip Kumar, for the PTV.
He also covered as a PTV producer the famous Sharjah cricket match between Pakistan and India in which Javed Miandad hit a six on the last ball of the play to secure victory.
He also covered for PTV several international sports events of cricket, hockey and squash held in Pakistan, including the 1987 Cricket World Cup.
Athar was the son of renowned literary personality Prof Viqar Azeem and younger brother of equally talented broadcaster Akhtar Viqar Azeem who served as the PTV managing director.
He married Shireen Azeem, PTV drama producer who created memorable plays Uncle Urfi, Kiran Kahani, etc. She died young when their son was only six years old.
After the PTV, Athar was associated with the Hum TV Network. He was a member of the founding team of Hum.
Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) President Muhammad Ahmad Shah expressed deep sorrow over the death of Athar. He showered praise on the late broadcaster for his immense contribution to the sports journalism in the country. He recalled that Athar also served as the ACP vice president.