Pakistani actor Qavi Khan died in Canada on Sunday. He was 80.
The news of his death was confirmed by the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, and several high profile government officials have posted condolences on social media.
Khan was a prolific performer in television dramas, film and theatre. During his career, he featured in more than 200 films, including Mohabbat Zindagi Hai, Sarfarosh, Kalay Chor and Zameen Aasman.
He also starred in many television shows, including drama series Andhera Ujala. The series, which is now considered a cult classic, was first aired in 1984 and centred around a group of police officers fighting crime in ironic or humorous situations.
Khan was honoured by the Government of Pakistan with the Pride of Performance in 1980 and then with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz award, the third-highest civilian honour in the country, in 2012.
Pakistan's President Arif Alvi posted his condolences on Twitter, referring to Khan as “a performer par excellence”.
His sentiments were shared by other Pakistani personalities including singer Ali Zafar, who referred to Khan as “an institution in himself” and said he “deserves a state funeral”.
Actor Adnan Siddiqui also shared his thoughts on Khan’s legacy stating that his “stature in the industry will remain unmatched,” adding, “He was a living institution to learn not just acting but about life too.” Pakistani actress Sajal Ali wrote on Twitter that Khan “was not only a great actor but one of the most good human being I was fortunate to work with.”
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German model Tatjana Patitz died on January 11 aged 56. Reuters -
Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, died on January 12 aged 54. Reuters -
Italian movie star Gina Lollobrigida, one of the last from the Golden Age of Hollywood, died on January 16 at 95. PA News -
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American folk-rock star David Crosby died on January 18 aged 81. EPA -
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South Indian director and actor K Viswanath died on February 2 aged 92. Photo: Wikimedia Commons -
Fashion designer Paco Rabanne died on February 3 aged 88. Reuters -
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South African rap sensation Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, died on February 10 aged 35. AFP -
David 'Trugoy the Dove' Jolicoeur of the US hip-hop band De La Soul died on February 12 aged 54. EPA -
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American actress Raquel Welch died at the age of 82 on February 15. EPA -
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Football commentator John Motson died on February 23 aged 77. PA -
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Pulp bassist Steve Mackey, right, died aged 56 on March 2. Getty -
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Gary Rossington, a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, died aged 71 on March 5. EPA -
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Bollywood actor, comedian, writer and director Satish Kaushik died aged 66 on March 8. Jeff Topping / The National -
Israeli actor Chaim Topol died aged 87 on March 8. AP -
British TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady died on March 28 at the age of 67. PA -
Moonbin, a member of K-pop boy band Astra, died at the age of 25 on April 19. AFP -
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British-French actress and singer Jane Birkin, who inspired the famous Hermes Birkin bag, died aged 76 on July 16. AFP -
American musician Tony Bennett died on July 21 at the age of 96. Reuters -
Acclaimed Irish singer Sinead O’Connor died at the age of 56 on July 26. Sarah Dea / The National -
Matthew Perry, one of the stars of TV sitcom Friends, died on October 28 aged 54. AFP -
Former US first lady Rosalynn Carter died at the age of 96 on November 19. AP -
South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in Parasite, died on December 27 aged 48. Reuters
