LAHORE: Former producer at Pakistan Television Lahore Station, Muhammad Azeem, died of a cardiac arrest here on Sunday. He was 70.

Mr Azeem produced memorable TV serials such as Darya, Neelay Hath and Asmaan.

Ikramul Haq, brother-in-law of Muhammad Azeem, told Dawn that the funeral would be held on Tuesday (Feb 2). “The time and venue of the funeral is yet to be decided as the family is awaiting Azeem’s children who are abroad.”

Muhammad Azeem, who joined PTV in 1975, was a poet and a progressive writer. A number of plays, long plays and serials are to his credit. Along with Urdu he did many productions in Punjabi language too such as Chandan Rukh. It was a music programme based on mystic poetry. Dil Darya and Punjab Rut were other programmes produced by him.

Some of his productions include Darya, Asmaan, Neelay Hath, Visal, Aag, Bajray Diyan Piniyan and Mor Muharran.

His colleague in PTV Ayub Khawar while sharing memories of the past told this reporter that Azeem and he joined PTV in the same batch in 1975. He said they were trained at Chaklala as PTV station used to be there in those days.

Mushtaq Soofi termed Azeem one of the fine producers.

Asghar Nadeem Syed, who wrote Darya, told this reporter as to how they made arrangements for outdoor shootings of the serial in Cholistan. Nadeem said Azeem was a good human being and a fine producer.

Shahid Mehmood Nadeem said Azeem produced his play Neelay Hath. “He was a good friend and a progressive writer and poet.”

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2016