KARACHI, March 20: S.H. Hashmi, one of the pioneers of advertising industry in the country and managing director of Orient McCan Ericson, died at a hospital here on Monday. He was suffering from chronic respiratory disorder and was admitted to the hospital last week. He was 71.

According to family sources, his funeral prayers will be held at Masjid-i-Sultan in the Defence Housing Society after Zuhr prayers on Tuesday.

Mr Hashmi was a prominent social figure, a recipient of a wide variety of awards, including Sitara-i-Imtiaz and President’s Pride of Performance Award, Pakistan Advertising Pioneer Excellence Award, APNS Life Time Achievement Award and APNS gold medal and gold shields.

He had been associated with the advertising industry for over 50 years and was life patron of Pakistan Advertising Association.

Born in Gaya, India, in 1935, he was son of renowned scholar Allama Syed Abdul Qudoos Hashmi. Mr Hashmi is survived by his wife, two sons, three daughters, two brothers and a sister.

Mr Hashmi’s passing away was condoled by people from all walks of life.

Those who offered condolences included federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim and leaders of various political parties.

The All Pakistan Newspapers Society in a statement expressed profound grief over the death of Mr Hashmi and paid glowing tributes to the services rendered by him to the advertising profession and in particular to the newspaper industry.