THIS is with reference to the report-cum-obituary ‘Veteran actor Khurshid Shahid bows out’ (June 28). Talking about the legendary television and stage actor, the text has mentioned that the late actor had worked in famous Pakistan Television (PTV) serials Kiran Kahani, Zair Zabar Pesh and Uncle Urfi. This is factually wrong.

Clearly, the writer mixed up Khurshid Shahid (above right) with her namesake Begum Khurshid Mirza (above left) who had starred in all the above-named serials that had been aired from Karachi studios. Begum Khurshid Mirza appeared in Kiran Kahani as ‘Phuphi Jaan’ to the character that was played with aplomb by the late Roohi Bano. In Zair Zabar Pesh, she brilliantly essayed the role of ‘Akka Bua’, while in Uncle Urfi she played the adorable mother and grandmother ‘Amma Bi’.

Like Khurshid Shahid, Begum Khurshid Mirza was a true PTV icon. She had passed away in 1989 in Lahore. These facts can be verified from the autobiographical narrative of Begum Khurshid Mirza, compiled by her daughter Lubna Kazmi.

Zeeba Zafar
Karachi

(2)

THIS is with reference to the article ‘The murder of knowledge’ (EOS-B&A June 13). Ashurbanipal, the king of Assaria, did not rule in the seventh century, as the text has mentioned. Rather, he had ruled in seventh century BC.

That is just a minor matter of about a millennium-and-a-half!

Bu Ali Shah
Lahore

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2021