ISLAMABAD, July 5: Veteran journalist and former bureau chief of The Pakistan Times, Islamabad, Syed Shabir Hussain Shah died here on Saturday following an illness at the age of 85.

He has left behind four sons and two daughters. His funeral prayers will be held near his residence, House No. 52, Bazaar Road near the Covered Market, G-6/4 at 5.30pm (today) here and Qul will be held at his residence on Monday (July 7th) at Asr prayers.

Shabir Shah, born in Gujrat in 1918, got his early education from Gujrat and then graduated from the Islamia College, Lahore.

He started his journalistic career from the Civil and Military Gazette and then joined ‘The Pakistan Times’ and remained its bureau chief.

He was also founder editor of the monthly “Concept”.

During his 50 years in journalism, he wrote over 15 books on various subjects including politics and social problems. His last book was Ayub, Bhutto and Zia, published two years ago. His other books included Death Dance, Lengthy Shadows, a biography of Allama Mashraqi, Nigah-i-Bazgasht and Seerat-i-Mustaqeem.

Shabir Shah received various awards for his contributions in the field of journalism.—APP