Veteran journalist Muhammad Ziauddin passed away on Monday morning after a prolonged illness at the age of 83. Ziauddin was admitted to a hospital in Islamabad earlier this month. State TV Pakistan Television (PTV) paid tribute to the deceased for his ‘illustrious career’.

His first job in the field of journalism was as a cub reporter at the Pakistan Press International (PPI) – then Pakistan Press Agency – and since then he worked at different news organisations in editorial positions with The Express Tribune being his last. In July 2014, Ziauddin resigned as the executive editor of the English daily and went on to work as a freelance journalist.

Journalists and politicians took to Twitter to pay glowing tribute to the deceased, with many describing his passing as ‘end of an era’.