55-year-old Liaqat Ali, popularly known as 'Liaqat Soldier' was participating in a special transmission organised for the semi-final on a local channel when he suffered a severe heart attack and died on his way to the hospital, the Daily Times newspaper reported.

Besides being an actor, Ali was an entrepreneur and owned a business dealing in generators.

Several television celebrities and politicians expressed their grief and sorrow over his demise.

Regretting his death, many termed him one of the greatest stage comedians of Pakistan and said his demise was an irreparable loss to Pakistan's comedy industry.

Ali started his career as an actor working in Memoni and Gujratee dramas in 1973. He has performed in more than 250 television plays, besides numerous stage dramas across the globe during his 38-year career.