ISLAMABAD: Renowned singer Mehnaz Begum passed away in Bahrain enroute to the United States.

According to a private news channel, the singer had been suffering from respiratory problems and was heading to the US for treatment when she died during a short stay in Bahrain.

Mehnaz, who was the daughter of celebrated subcontinental singer Kajjan Begum and Abdullah Abdullah, sang a number of popular songs for films and television.

She has sung a variety of genres but specialised in the ghazal, thumri, dadra, khayal, dhrupad and reciting Salams, Nohas and Marsiyas.

Our correspondents add: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Saturday expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of renowned singer Mehnaz Begum.

In his condolence message, the president lauded the invaluable contributions of Mehnaz Begum in the field of music and said that in her demise, the music industry has lost a great asset. He said that her melodious voice would be remembered for long.

Expressing sympathies with the bereaved family and her millions of fans, he prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and to give courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.

The prime minister in his message conveyed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. He lauded the invaluable contribution of Mehnaz Begum in the field of music which would always be remembered. He said that Mehnaz Begum was a popular singer of radio, television and the film industry who entertained music lovers with her melodious voice for decades.

Meanwhile, Sindh Governor, Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan and Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have also expressed sorrow and grief over her demise.