Hashmi allegedly experienced a brain hemorrhage 12 years ago, following which he remained ill. Former actor, Adeel Hashmi, confirmed his father’s death and said he had been ill for a long time.

Hashmi, who is regarded as one of the founding fathers of national television, created some of PTV’s most well-liked shows and dramas.

The news of his demise was announced by PTV on its official Twitter account.

“A man of letters, words, humor, wit, and prose - the legend Shoaib Hashmi has passed away,” read the tweet.

Shoaib Hashmi was married to Salima Hashmi, the daughter of revolutionary poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz. He also has a daughter, actress and director Mira Hashmi, and sons, Yasser and Adeel Hashmi.

In the 1970s, the theatre icon wrote several shows for the state broadcaster, including ‘Akkar Bakkar,’ ‘Sach Gupp,’ and ‘Taal Matol,’ and was a columnist for The News and Gulf News.

Hashmi earned a Master of Arts in economics from Government College (now Government College University) in Lahore and a Master of Science in economics from the London School of Economics (LSE). He was also a professor of economics in Lahore.

Hashmi also studied theatre at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, where he received a Tamgha-i-Imtiaz and the President’s Award for Pride of Performance.