Qavi Khan a celebrated actor and recipient of the Pride of Performance award, died in Canada on Sunday. The news was confirmed by Muhammad Ahmad Shah, President of Karachi Arts Council. He was 80 and is survived by four children. Qavi Khan had been living in Canada for his treatment and was believed to be suffering from cancer.
Mr Khan was born in Peshawar, and his family later moved to Lahore. He began his career in Radio Pakistan in 1952 and later starred in many films and television shows.
He is known for his roles in ‘Aangan‘ (2018), ‘FBI Operation Pakistan‘ (1971) and ‘Aarzoo‘ (1975).
The Government of Pakistan honored Qavi Khan with Pride of Performance award in 1980 and Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2012 for his contribution to the field of arts.
Mr Khan’s film career started in 1965 and he worked in more than 200 movies and several television shows, radio and stage plays.
Mufti Abdul Qayyum led the funeral prayer, attended by the late actor’s family members, close relatives, members of the Pakistani community. Senior actor Shahid, actor Mehmood Akhtar also participated in his funeral.
After the funeral prayers, Shahid Hameed spoke to Geo News and expressed his admiration for Qavi Khan as a great artist. Shahid Hameed mentioned that Qavi Khan’s first and last film was with him, and that he was a charismatic actor.
Many actors and politicians paid tribute to the actor. “Saddened to learn of the passing of famous actor Qavi Khan. My prayers and condolences go to his family,” former Pakistan prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan said on Twitter. “The great Qavi Khan sahab is no more. Though I never had the honor to work with him, his exemplary professionalism and humility were praised by everyone who had the privilege. He was an institution in himself and deserves a state funeral,” tweeted Ali Zafar.
