Fatima Surayya Bajia laid to rest in Karachi

KARACHI: Seasoned novelist and playwright, Fatima Sarayya Bajia who died of protracted illness on Wednesday was laid to rest at a local graveyard today. She was 85.

A large number of people including members of her family, friends, artists and others attended her funeral.

Born in 1930 in Indian city of Hyderabad, Fatima Surayya Bajia rose to great fame after penning a number of TV plays which became classic hits. She also worked for radio and stage.

Fatima Surayya Bajia had been writing for PTV right from the launch of the national TV channel.

Bajia was the eldest sister among 10 siblings. Three of her other siblings who are also famous in their respective fields are: TV host, actor, poet and playwright Anwar Maqsood; poetess Zehra Nigah; food expert Zubaida Tariq (Aapa) and ; Anwar Maqsood Hamidi, a former bureaucrat.

She was conferred many awards in recognition of her work both in Pakistan and abroad including Pride of Performance Award in Pakistan and Japan's highest civil award.

Fatima Surayya Bajia also served as an advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister.