KARACHI, July 10: Senior journalist Sharif Kamal Usmani died at the age of 66 here on Thursday after a protracted illness. His funeral prayer was offered at Al-Falah Jamia Mosque, Block H North Nazimabad, after Asr prayers

He was laid to rest at the Paposh Nagar graveyard. The funeral procession was attended by journalists, educationists and officials.

Born in 1938 in Fatehpur, UP, Mr Usmani was educated in Karachi. He started his journalistic career in 1960 from the Daily Anjam, Karachi. Later he switched over to the Daily Mashriq, but soon after he joined the Daily Hurriyet which used to be an Urdu publication of the Dawn Group of Newspapers. He worked there till December 30, and in 1989 he become a freelance journalist. In 1992 he joined The Star.

An education reporter throughout his journalistic career, Sharif Kamal Usmani was affiliated with Radio Pakistan for many years. Two volumes of his poetry for children were also published.

He is survived by his wife, daughter Sumia Usmani and sons Saad Usmani, Abdullah Usmani and Osama Usmani. A Quran Khwani will be held on Friday at his residence A-274 Block “H” North Nazimabad after Friday prayers till Maghrib.