Pop singer Nazia Hassan’s brother Zohaib Hassan has announced plans to build a children's hospital named after his sister in Karachi. 

Talking to 24NewsHD TV channel on the 56th birth anniversary of the iconic pop singer on Saturday, Zohab Hassan said he was happy on his sister’s birthday but also felt immense loss on her departure. 

Zohaib said his sister wanted to do something for the children and her efforts and dreams are being materialized in the form of establishing a children hospital in Karachi.   

He vowed to make similar hospitals in other cities of the country and even to set up an international hospital.

It may be recalled that a song of Bollywood film Qurbani, ‘aap jesa koi meri zindagi mein ayee’, opened the doors of fame to Nazia Hassan decades ago. She also received the biggest film award of India ‘Filmfare Award’ and was the first Pakistani singer to receive such award.

Nazia Hassan released a memorable album of her songs under the name of ‘Disco Deewane’ followed by ‘Boom Boom’. Other albums also came under the title of Hotline and Camera Camera.

She was also the recipient of Pride of Performance, an award bestowed by Pakistan to recognize people who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the field of literature, art, sports, science and education". 

The award was presented to Muniza Basir, Hassan's mother, from the President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf in an official ceremony held at Islamabad in 2002. She was also the recipient of a Golden Disc Award.

Nazia Hassan fought a long battle with cancer during the last years of her life and died of lung cancer in London on 13 August 2000 at the age of 35. Nazia was buried at Hendon Cemetery (Muslim Section) in London. 

Reporter Raheel Baig