Ghazal king Mehdi Hassan admitted in hospital

Legendary ghazal singer Mehdi Hassan has been admitted in hospital after reporting uneasiness and difficulty in breathing.

Hassan has been admitted to the Aga Khan Hospital here.

He has been kept in an intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital, where doctors are treating him for chest and lung infections.

"Not only is he unable to speak, but he is also unable to recognise his family members," The News quoted Hassan’s son, Arif Mehdi, as saying.

Pakistan's prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani sent a bouquet and good wishes to the 82-year-old Shahenshah-e-Ghazal (ghazal king), who has been keeping poor health for a long time now.

In his message, Gilani inquired about Hassan's health and prayed for his early recovery.

Last year, Gilani had declared that Hassan would be given lifelong assistance of Rs50,000 a month by the government.

Hassan was born into a family of traditional musicians at Luna village in Rajasthan state in India in 1927. His family migrated to Pakistan at the time of Partition.

Hassan cut back on his performances in the late 1980s owing to illness.