End of an era as ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan dies

From Dawn:

After being unwell for a long period of time, ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan passed away at a local hospital in Karachi on Wednesday.

Hassan had been battling paralysis, lung, chest and urinary tract disorder since the past many years. His health suddenly deteriorated for the worse early Wednesday, following which he passed away around 12:15 PM.

Mehdi Hasan’s body was transported to Karachi’s Gulberg area where family members as well as a large number of relatives, friends and fans has gathered. So far, no announcement has been made for the legendary singer’s funeral.

The undisputed ghazal king, who was born on July 18, 1927 in Rajasthan, had fans not only on both sides of the India-Pakistan border but throughout the world.