NOWSHERA: Famed comedy actor of Pashto films of yore, Liaqat Ali Khan, commonly known as Liaqat Major died of cardiac arrest in Lahore on Friday, family sources confirmed. He was 68.

The actor had been suffering from heart problem for quite some time. His body was brought to his home town in Nowshera Kalan where his Nimaz-i-Janaza will be offered on Saturday (today). He left behind a widow, two sons and a daughter.

Late Liaqat Major worked in around 200 films and received numerous awards, but after 40 years work he had called it a day in 2007 and joined Dawat-i-Tableegh. He also had produced two Pashto films, Khan Dehqan and Naukar, and his last movie titled ‘Zrah Me ta Waray Dey’ was released in January 2007.

The popular comedy actor had started his acting career in his school days from stage plays but his passion drew him into Pashto film industry in its heydays and launched his career in films by playing a minor role in Pashto movie ‘Darra Khyber’ produced by Habibullah Khan.

Known artist Allauddin introduced him to the film director who had offered him a role in a death scene.

His second Pashto movie was ‘Alaqa Ghair’ in which he played the role of a hero. Though known as a comedy actor he did many serious roles in some movies. The memorable comedy role in the hit Pashto movie ‘Orbal’ released in the early 70s became his identity.

Liaqat Major’s popular famous dialogues still on the lips of his fans include ‘Da san tees calendar yam’, Da suba Sarhad cherta che bamoona ao gazare pa yaw narkh de and Banjari yam sa kado karela na yam’. He had also worked with iconic stars like Badar Munir, Asif Khan and Surayya Khan.

“I am quite satisfied with my decision and vowed to continue preaching till death. Now I have no time for acting, but occasionally I watch my old movies just to recall the sweet old memories of my life. I have been offered roles in CD dramas but I did not take up the offer, though I don’t repent working in movies as we made others laugh,” the famed comedy actor had once said in an interview.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2019