Singer-cum-actor Hadiqa Kayani’s mother, poetess Khawar Kayani, passed away after a long illness on Friday.

“We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” Hadiqa’s management said in an Instagram post on the singer’s Instagram account. It also shared a picture of her with her mother

The management praised her life-long work. “Those who knew Khawar knew her grace, dignity and strength,” it said.

She wrote a series of critically acclaimed books and some of the “biggest songs” in Pakistan’s music history such as Boohey Barian, the Cricket World Cup 1999 anthem Intehai Shauq and Aas Pass. “In her later years Khawar remained a force of light and positivity - bringing happiness and inspiration to all those around her.”

Khawar Kiani was a principal at a government school for girls and a master poetess.