Remembering Pakistanis we lost in 2022

With the moving time, the world is all set to celebrate the New Year with enthusiasm. But before entering 2023 if we look back into 2022, this year had deprived us of many intellectuals, politicians, journalists and other notable personalities.

Pakistan has lost many renowned individuals and they will always be remembered. They have achieved significant success in their career and made great contributions to the world.

Here are some of the notable individuals that Pakistan had lost in 2022 but history will never forget them:

Rasheed Naz — Actor

The veteran film and television actor Rasheed Naz died at the age of 73 on January 17 in Islamabad.

His son Hassan Noman stated that Rasheed Naz was admitted to a local hospital.

The actor was born in 1948.

Bushra Rehman — Politician, Novelist

The novelist turned politician Bushra Rehman passed away at the age of 78 on February 7 in Lahore.

She died after a prolonged illness due to Covid-19.

Bushra was born in 1994 and studied journalism at masters level at University of Punjab (PU).

She had written 26 novels and received the most prestigious award Sitara-e-Imtiaz for her literary work. Besides, she was also elected as a member of parliament four times, Member of Punjab Assembly (MPA) three times and once as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA).

Her literary and political circle grieved at her death at Alhamra Arts Council.

Rehman Malik — PPP politician

The former interior minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior politician Rehman Malik departed at the age of 70 on February 23 in Islamabad.

He died of COVID-19 at a hospital. His widow and two sons survived by him.

The PPP senator was born in Sialkot in 1951 and received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Karachi. He served as the interior minister of the country from 2008 to 2013.

Dr. Mehdi Hasan — Journalist

The professor of Mass Communication Dr. Mehdi Hasan died at the age of 85 on February 23.

He passed away after a protracted illness and survived by his wife Rakhshanda Hasan, sons, grandchildren and thousands of students.

Dr. Hassan was the recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2012 for his services in journalism. He was a media historian, left-wing journalist, professor of mass communication at the University of Punjab (PU) and dean of journalism and mass communication at the Beaconhouse National University (BNU). Dr. Mehdi had a teaching career of over 50 years.

Masood Akhtar — Actor

The famous veteran actor Masood Akhtar passed away at the age of 82 on March 5 in Lahore.

The actor was battling lungs cancer for few months.

Akhtar was born in Sahiwal on September 5, 1940.  He was awarded with Pride of Performance Award for his artistic services. Masood had played notable roles in many films, dramas and theatre plays.

Rafiq Tarar — Former President

The former President of Pakistan Rafiq Tarar departed at the age of 92 on March 7.

He had a protracted illness.

Tarar was born in Mandi Bahauddin, and graduated with Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from University of the Punjab in 1951. He served as the ninth president of Pakistan.

Bilquis Edhi — Philanthropist

The renowned philanthropist and humanitarian, Bilquis Bano Edhi died at the age of 74 on April 15.

She was the wife of Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Bilquis had congestive heart failure and already undergone a heart bypass twice. She had been ill for a month, Edhi Foundation spokesperson stated.

Bilquis Edhi was born on August 14, 1947.

Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan — Politician

Member of National Assembly Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan passed away at the age of 64 on April 19 in Karachi.

Iqbal died of a prolonged illness.

He was born in 1958. Muhammad Ali Khan had been a member of National Assembly (MNA) from 2002 to 2018.

Talat Aslam — Journalist

The senior journalist Talat Aslam passed away at the age of 67 on May 25.

Aslam was the senior editor at a newspaper. He had been associated with several leading newspapers and magazines throughout his long journalistic career.

Ali Raza Sadpara — Mountaineer

The veteran mountaineer Ali Raza Sadpara died at the age of 57 on May 27.

He received serious injuries after falling from a mountain during a routine climbing practice session near his village in Gilgit and sustained serious injuries.

According to Sadpara's family, he was under treatment at a hospital, where he breathed his last.

Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussain — Televangelist

The television host and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussain passed away at the age of 50 on June 9 in Karachi.

He was found unconscious at his home in Khudad Colony and shifted to a private hospital in critical condition. The doctors stated that Aamir had already died when he was brought to the hospital.

Hussain was born to politician Sheikh Liaquat Hussain and columnist Mahmooda Sultana on July 5, 1971 in Karachi.

Khawaja Masood — Actor

The senior actor-comedian Masood Khawaja departed at the age of 53 on June 20.

He died due to kidney disease.

Khawaja was born in 1967 and ruled countless hearts with his acting skills.

Tanveer Jamal — Actor

The senior actor Tanveer Jamal passed away at the age of 62 on July 13.

He lost his battle with cancer.

He got famous for his acting in a well-known and popular Pakistani television (PTV) drama ‘Jangolos’.

Nayyara Noor — Singer

The melody queen of Pakistan Nayyara Noor passed away at the age of 71 on August 20.

He died after a brief illness in Karachi.

Nayyara was one of the top playback singers in the country.

She neither had any musical background nor receive any formal training in music, however, she proved her God-gifted singing talents all over the subcontinent.

She was awarded with Nigar Award for best playback singer in the film Gharana.

She was born on November 3, 1950, in Guwahati, Assam where she spent her early childhood days. She was seven when her family migrated to Pakistan.

Manzoor Junior — Hockey Player

The shining star of Pakistan Hockey, the legendary olympian Manzoor Hussain Junior passed away at the age of 64 on August 28.

He died due to cardiac arrest which he could not survive. Manzoor was undergoing treatment at a local hospital in Lahore.

Manzoor captained the national team and won the goal medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Hunaid Lakhani — Educationist 

The renowned educationist and politician Hunaid Lakhani died at the age of 49 on September 8.

He passed away at a hospital in Karachi while suffering from dengue virus.

Hunaid was the founder and chancellor of Iqra University, Karachi.

Asad Rauf — Cricket Umpire

The former International Cricket Council's (ICC) elite panel umpire and first-class cricketer Asad Rauf died at the age of 66 on September 14.

He passed away due to heart attack in Lahore.

In his career as an umpire, Rauf officiated 64 Tests, 49 of which as on-field umpire and 15 as TV umpire, 139 ODIs and 28 T20Is.

Arshad Sharif — Journalist

The senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif died at the age of 50 on October 23.

He was shot dead by the Kenyan police in a “mistaken identity” case while he was travelling to Nairobi from the country’s Magadi town.

Balakh Sher Mazari — Politician

The former caretaker Prime Minister Balakh Sher Mazari passed away at the age of 95 on November 4.

He performed his duties as the caretaker prime minister after Nawaz Sharif’s government was dismissed by then-president Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1993.

Muhammad Rafi Usmani — Religious Scholar

The prominent religious scholar Mufti Muhammad Rafi Usmani passed away at the age of 86 on November 18.

He was a true patriotic religious leader who always preached national unity and peace.

Tariq Teddy — Comedian

The well-known comedian and theater actor Tariq Teddi departed at the age of 46 on November 19.

He died of liver disease.

He was born in 1976 in Faisalabad. He performed in Punjabi stage dramas and acted in the film Salakhein.

Tony Navaid Rashid — Photographer

The television host Tony Naveed Rashid passed away on November 23.

He died due to a heart attack.

Tony was a well-known photographer, singer, actor, and TV host. He was a part of the entertainment industry for several years.

Ismail Tara — Comedian

The famous comedian Ismail Tara died at the age of 73 on November 25 in Karachi.

Ismail Tara started his film career in 1964. In the 1980s, his timeless performance in the popular satirical drama Fifty Fifty brought him to the heights of fame.

S.M. Muneer — Industrialist

Shaikh Mohammad Muneer also known as S.M. Muneer passed away at the age of 77 on Noember 28.

He was the leading industrialist and business leader in the country.

Muneer was the Chairman of Din Group of Industries and former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

Imran Aslam — Journalist

The veteran journalist Imran Aslam passed away at the age of 70 on December 2.

He was the journalist, scriptwriter, thespian, voice-over artist and TV network head who had been ill for some time and was undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

The scriptwriter was born in 1952 in Madras, now known as Chennai. He studied in London in the 70s. Besides journalism, Aslam also wrote more than 60 successful plays that graced the stage and television.

Afzal Ahmed — Actor 

The well-known actor Afzal Ahmed passed away on December 2 at Lahore General Hospital.

According to the hospital officials, Afzal Ahmed was brought to the hospital on December 1 due to a brain hemorrhage.

Saeed Mohammad Khan — Chief of Naval Staff

The former Naval Chief Admiral Saeed Mohammad Khan died at the age of 87 on December 4.

He served as Amir Al-Bahr from 1991 to 1994. Khan was also known as the ‘Beast of the Sea’.