Actress Begum Khursheed dies aged 95

By News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) pioneering actress, entertainer and radio moderator Begum Khursheed Shahid passed away in Lahore on Sunday at the age of 95 years.

Her son, Salman Shahid, confirmed her death. Sharing details about the sad news, Salman said she was put on a ventilator after suffering a cardiac arrest and had been in hospital for some time.

One of Pakistan’s legendary actresses, Begum Khursheed started her career from All India Radio in Delhi both as an artist and an entertainer. She relocated to Pakistan in 1947 and became a significant part in the performance circles of Lahore. She joined PTV in 1964 and acted in probably the best plays created by PTV in the next 20 years.

‘Uncle Urfi’, ‘Zair, Zabar, Pesh’ and ‘Parchaiyan’ are some of her most well known dramas. Her first PTV play was a comedy titled ‘Ras Malai’, but she shot to fame with the drama ‘Fehmida Ki Kahani Ustani Rahat Ki Zabani’. Apart from being an actress, she was also an accomplished singer and tanpura player, who famously accompanied the great classical singer Roshan Ara Begum.

She also received highest civil award, the Pride of Performance, in 1984. During the 90s she, however, continuously disassociated with TV as she felt that the medium was becoming more business-oriented.