LAHORE: Neelo Begum, the veteran Pakistani film actress and mother of Lollywood star Shaan Shahid passed away in Lahore on Saturday night.

She was 80.

Neelo Begum was ill since long time and was admitted in a hospital.

Her real name was Cynthia Alexander Fernandez. However, after converting to Islam, she changed her name to Abida Riaz.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of renowned Pakistani film actress and mother of actor Shan Shahid, Neelo Begum.

In his tweet on Sunday, the Prime Minister said that his condolences and prayers goes to actor Shaan Shahid on the passing of his mother.

Funeral prayer of veteran Pakistani film actress Neelo Begum was offered in Lahore yesterday (Sunday).

A large number of notable personalities attended the funeral prayers and prayed for her forgiveness.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed a deep sense of grief and sorrow over the death of veteran actress Neelo Begum and extended sympathies to her son Shaan and other family members.

In a condolence message, he said that Neelo Begum enjoyed a unique status in the field of acting and performed several memorable roles.

He said that her performance in film 'Zarqa' was especially remarkable and her death has ended a golden era of the film industry.