ISLAMABAD: Agha Nasir, one of the pioneers of television in the country, died at a hospital in Islamabad on Tuesday. He was 79.

Agha Nasir was a legend in television and radio broadcasting. He shepherded Pakistan Television through its early days and then turned it into a national institution.

He started off as a broadcaster for Radio Pakistan in 1955 and by the time television came to the country in 1964, he had already made a name for himself as a writer, broadcaster and producer.

One of his works, Taleem-i-Balighan, is regarded as one of the best stage dramas ever to have aired on PTV. Among his other acclaimed works are Girah and Pani Peh Naam.

The government conferred on him the President’s Pride of Performance Award in recognition of his contribution to the growth of radio and television.

Apart from direction, he was also a much admired writer.

He was laid to rest at Islamabad’s Sector H-11 graveyard.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2016