KARACHI: Renowned Pakistani chef Zakir Qureshi has passed away in Karachi, his family confirmed on Tuesday, bringing an end to his famous shows that provided diverse culinary expertise to countless people.
Born in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Feb. 16, 1967, Qureshi inherited the passion for culinary arts from his father, Abdul Aziz, who worked as a chef with British Airways and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
The celebrity chef, who had maintained a loyal audience through his television programs, had been battling a kidney disease and remained under treatment in the United States until a month ago, according to his nephew. He passed away on Monday night.
“For uncle Zakir, cooking was more than a profession; it was a family tradition. However, he distinguished himself as the only member to pursue formal culinary studies abroad. He always spoke with great affection about his mentors, especially Sultana Siddiqui and Athar Waqar Azim,” Qureshi’s nephew, Shayan Qureshi, told Arab News.
“He was a kind, well-mannered, and loving individual. His culinary skills were exceptional. He not only revitalized traditional dishes but also skillfully adapted international cuisines to appeal to the Pakistani palate. His television shows not only brought delicious flavors into countless homes but also imparted the art of cooking.”
Qureshi had traveled to Dubai, Singapore, South Africa and Botswana for work and studies, according to his family. He began his professional career at Karachi’s Sheraton Hotel in 1980 and first appeared on TV in mid-2000s.
Zohaib Aalim, producer of Zakir’s Kitchen show, told Arab News that Qureshi had always been warm and respectful toward others, and always stayed focused on his work.
“Chef Zakir worked with us from 2015 to 2021. His most admirable quality was that he taught the best recipes within a limited budget. He used to say that he wanted to teach dishes people could actually make at home within their means,” Aalim said.
“In that sense, he was truly exceptional. He popularized Chinese, Continental, and Desi cuisines through his simple and accessible methods.”
Aalim said the flavors Qureshi introduced, the lessons he taught, and the memories he left behind will “forever live in our hearts.”
He may be gone, but his taste, his style, and his expertise continue to breathe in every Pakistani kitchen.
Famed Pakistani chef Zakir Qureshi passes away in Karachi
https://arab.news/nc5zd
Famed Pakistani chef Zakir Qureshi passes away in Karachi
- Qureshi inherited the passion for culinary arts from his father who worked with British Airways and PIA
- He began his professional career at Karachi’s Sheraton Hotel in 1980 and first appeared on TV in mid-2000s
Pakistan expresses solidarity with Canada as school shooting claims 9 lives
- At least 9 dead, 27 wounded in shooting incident at secondary school, residence in British Columbia on Tuesday
- Officials say the shooter was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after the incident
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed solidarity with Canada as a high school shooting incident in a British Columbia town left at least nine dead, more than 20 others injured.
Six people were found at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School while a seventh died on the way to the hospital, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement on Tuesday. Two other people were found dead at a home that police believe is connected to the shooting at the school. A total of 27 people were wounded in the attack.
In an initial emergency alert, police described the suspect as a “female in a dress with brown hair,” with officials saying she was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“Saddened by the tragic shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X.
He conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a swift recovery to those injured in the attack.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people and Government of Canada in this difficult time,” he added.
Canadian police have not yet released any information about the age of the shooter or the victims.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” by the violence, announcing he had suspended plans to travel to the Munich Security Conference on Wednesday.
While mass shootings are rare in Canada, last April, a vehicle attack that targeted a Filipino cultural festival in Vancouver killed 11 people.
British Columbia Premier David Eby called the latest violence “unimaginable.”
Nina Krieger, British Columbia’s minister of public safety, described it as one of the “worst mass shootings” in Canada’s history.
