Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of renowned Indian journalist, author and rights activist Kuldip Nayar, who breathed his last in New Delhi at the age of 95.

Nayar was honoured with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his contribution to journalism at the eighth edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence awards.

The information minister, in a statement, said the deceased was a shining star of lofty journalistic traditions.

Kuldip Nayar: 'Partition was not inevitable'

“Nayar used the power of his pen for ending hatred and promotion of peace in the region. His services as a pro-peace journalist and activist would be remembered for a long time,” Chaudhry was quoted as saying.

The information minister also expressed sympathies with the family of the late journalist.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condoled the death of Kuldip Nayar, paying tributes to him as "a peace activist and a strong supporter of peace initiatives between India and Pakistan".

In a condolence message, Bilawal said Nayar's death had left a void in the peace movement in South Asia and will be mourned by all peace loving people for a long time.

Bilawal offered condolences to the bereaved family members and to the peace activists in the two countries.

PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the death of Nayar, saying "with the passing away of Kuldeep Nayyar, an era of journalism for peace is over".

"He was a committed democrat, a relentless voice for peace and normalcy of relations between Pakistan and India. He has left behind a glorious legacy that all of us should uphold and celebrate," the former Punjab chief minister said.