KARACHI: Popular Urdu novelist and story writer Ishtiaq Ahmed passed away in Karachi on Tuesday, he was 74.

Ishtiaq Ahmed, who entertained a generation of young Pakistanis with his popular Inspector Jamshed, Inspector Kamran Mirza and Shoki Brothers series of suspense novels died of a heart attack in Karachi.

Ahmed had attended 11th Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) in Expo Center and was about to fly back to his hometown, Lahore.

The author who wrote about 800 pieces of fiction wrote his first novel in 1973 and was a teen sensation especially in 80s and 90s when his short novels sold like hot cakes.

Ishtiaq Ahmed left behind a widow and eight children including five sons and three daughters.

Sindh Governor Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan also offered his heartfelt condolences on Ishtiaq Ahmed's death and expressed sympathy with the author's family.

The novelist's fans also took to social media and expressed grief over his sudden demise and thanked him for making their childhood wonderful.