Qazi Wajid: Pakistan TV industry loses a jewel

Qazi Wajid, the renowned TV, Radio and Theatre artist breathed his last on Sunday at the age of 87, leaving behind a huge number of admirers to mourn his death.

He was one of the very few long-serving actors with a hundred characters but one identity and that is of a true showman. The versatile actor was hospitalised for chest pain on Saturday night and passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning after his condition deteriorated during the treatment.

Wajid launched his career as child artist in 1950 after joining Radio Pakistan and served the national broadcasting corporation for 25 years.

During his career as Radio Artist, he took part in numerous hit shows including “Hamid Mian Kay Haan”, “Qazi Jee” and “Naunehal”.

His last rites were performed amid presence of people from all strata of society including artists, politicians and members of civil society. He was buried at Essa Nagri graveyard.

Born in Gwalior, India in 1944, the actor made his film debut way back in 1956 with film Bedaari, giving Pakistan’s industry a new name to rule the screen for upcoming years.

Besides performing as a Radio and TV artist, Qazi Wajid also worked on theatre. It was one of his theatre performances which transformed him into an overnight star with Taleem-i-Baalighan, a TV serial telecast on PTV in the late 1960s, after Khwaja Moinuddin offered him a chance to perform on TV.

He then continued performing for worldwide plays till his death.

Wajid rose to fame after appearing on TV owing to his ability to play any kind of a role. TV drama Taleem-i-Baalighan’s Shamsoo and Khuda Ki Basti’s Raja were part of his best performances.

He received several accolades throughout his career, including the Pride of Performance Award.