LAHORE: Known TV actor Sumbal Shahid passed away on Thursday at a local hospital where she was admitted a fortnight ago with Covid-related complications.

According to her sister Bushra Ansari, also a known actor, Sumbal was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on April 22 after developing complications caused by Covid-19 and was later put on ventilator when her condition deteriorated.

Her funeral prayers were offered at Cavalry Ground and she was buried in the adjacent graveyard under Covid SOPs.

She was the daughter of writer, columnist Ahmad Bashisr, who would write an English newspaper column under pen name Bullah Shah. Her sister Asma Abbas and niece Zara Noor Abbas are also TV actors.

Sumbal started her career as host of a TV talk show ‘Golden Girls’. Then she worked with a Punjabi language TV channel for four years, interviewing female politicians.

Taaky Ki Aayegi Baraat was her debut TV drama. She later acted in several TV plays, and did memorable roles in many, including Aeteraaf, Ishqaa waay and Nand.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2021