KARACHI: Hundreds of people, including politicians, actors and fans from different walks of life, on Wednesday attended funeral prayers for Umer Sharif in his home city of Karachi, where they paid their respects to the comedy legend for making them laugh for decades.
The body of Sharif, who died at a hospital in Germany last week while he was being taken to the United States for medical treatment, arrived in Pakistan via Istanbul on Wednesday morning.
Wrapped up in Pakistan’s national flag and accompanied by Sharif’s family, friends and fans, his coffin was brought to the Umer Sharif Park – a park named after him during his lifetime – where his funeral prayers were offered by Maulana Bashir Farooqui. Sharif was later buried next to the grave of Shireen Jinnah, the sister of Pakistan’s founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, at the Abdullah Shah Ghazi graveyard.
The coffin of Pakistani comedy legend Umer Sharif is being taken to a graveyard close to the shrine of Sui saint Abdullah Shah Ghazi in Karachi, Pakistan on October 6, 2021. (AN Photo/ S.A. Baber)
Sharif, who was suffering from cancer, had requested the government in September to help him get medical treatment abroad. His air ambulance had to make a stopover in Germany after his condition deteriorated.
Speaking to media at the funeral, Salman Sabri, the brother of late Sufi singer Amjad Sabri, said the vacuum created by the demise of Sharif could never be filled.
“He earned respect but he himself had a great respect for his fellow artists,” Sabri said. “We are here to say goodbye to a comedian who has not only brought good name to his country, but also created a place in the hearts of millions across the world.”
Murtaza Wahab, the Karachi administrator, said his government tried its best to ensure that Sharif gets best treatment in the US.
“But his memories will live with us. His legacy to continue and his witty punch lines will be remembered by generations to come,” he said.
Sohail Ahmed, a Lahore-based comedian and TV actor popularly known as Azizi, said wherever Sharif went, he aimed to promote Pakistan. “He always tried to promote the name and brand of Pakistan,” he said.
Sharif, who was an undisputed comedy king of Pakistan, had a massive fan-following all over the world.
The coffin of Pakistani comedy legend Umer Sharif is being taken to a graveyard close to the shrine of Sui saint Abdullah Shah Ghazi in Karachi, Pakistan on October 6, 2021. (AN Photo/ S.A. Baber)
Javed Khaliq, who worked with Sharif as a makeup artist, recalled the comedian would always extend a smile even backstage. He said Sharif was a great artist and an equally great human being.
“Those who attended his funeral also included a large number of his fans who had been watching his shows and who, when distressed, laughed at his jokes. His shows would end with huge rounds of applause, but the show of his life made us cried,” Khaliq said.
Born in Karachi, Sharif introduced the concept of stage dramas in Pakistan in the 1980s, which soon became popular also across the border, in India. Two of his most popular plays are “Buddha Ghar Pe Ha” and “Bakra Qistoon Pe.”
Sharif had also suffered a cardiac disorder in 2005, but continued to entertain his fans after a brief recovery period.
On his passing, condolences continued to pour in from Indian actors and comedians as well.
Veteran Indian actor Anupam Kher called Sharif a “legendary comedian, actor and humanitarian,” who he said was “a legend in the true sense.”
“Deeply saddened to know about the demise of the legendary comedian, actor and humanitarian #UmerShareef Saab. He was a legend in the true sense! Met him in London many years back,” Kher wrote in his Instagram post.
“His effortless humor was infectious. Learnt a lot from him. May almighty give his family and fans the courage to deal with the loss.”
Famed Indian comedian Kapil Sharma remembered bid farewell to Sharif, saying: “Alvida legend, may your soul Rest in Peace.”
Alvida legend may your soul Rest In Peace #UmerShareef pic.twitter.com/ks4vS4rdL0
— Kapil Sharma (@KapilSharmaK9) October 2, 2021
Kamaal Khan, an Indian critic and trade analyst, said Sharif will be “missed till the last day of this world.”
RIP #UmerSharif Sahab! Sir you will be missed till the last day of this world. pic.twitter.com/qbNFOUfVGA
— KRK (@kamaalrkhan) October 2, 2021
Indian actor and comedian Jaaved Jaaferi said his heart was heavy with the news of Sharif’s passing.
“My heart is so heavy with the news that the highly respected and legendary comedian #UmerSharif bhai passed away today,” he said in a Twitter post.
“He not only had a unique ‘andaz e bayaan (way of speaking),’ but was also a socially and morally conscious human being. May Allah (SWT) have mercy on and bless his soul.”
My heart is so so heavy with the news that the highly respected and legendary comedian #UmerSharif bhai passed away today. He not only had a unique ‘andaz e bayaan’ but was also a socially and morally conscious human being. May Allaah(swt) have mercy on and bless his soul
— Jaaved Jaaferi (@jaavedjaaferi) October 2, 2021
Bollywood superstar Amir Khan has also been a huge fan of Sharif. In a conversation with Sharif on his visit to Lahore in mid-2000s, Khan had said his mother had introduced him to the Pakistani comedy legend by making him watch his show Bakra Qistoon pe.
“And one day Ammi told me that there is one television play that you have to see, and she introduced me to a play called Bakra Qistoon pe, and since then I have become a fan of yours, since then it’s been my desire to meet you and today I am very happy that I am sitting and chatting with you, I had got the opportunity to meet you,” Khan had said.
“I also have to add that if I had not stopped every ten minutes and left the room, pressing the pause, I would not have been sitting here today. I was unable to breathe; I was laughing so hard.”
