Asad Jafri’s tragic end amid family estrangement

Jafri, who spent much of his life helping disadvantaged people and supporting those in need, reportedly experienced profound emotional distress

Darya Khan: The death of prominent social figure and philanthropist Asad Jafri has left communities in Bhakkar and Darya Khan mourning the loss of a man remembered for his intellectual outlook, liberal values, generosity and deep concern for the underprivileged.

Jafri, who spent much of his life helping disadvantaged people and supporting those in need, reportedly experienced profound emotional distress during the final years of his life because of strained relations with members of his family.

According to people familiar with his personal life, Jafri was deeply attached to his son, Shakeel Asghar, and repeatedly expressed his anguish over their separation. On several occasions, he reportedly told close friends that the emotional pain caused by the distance between him and his son was more difficult to bear than any physical illness.

His lifelong companion, Saleem Ahmad Advocate, is said to have witnessed Jafri’s deteriorating emotional condition. In one particularly painful conversation, Jafri reportedly pleaded for help in overcoming his painful memories and expressed his desire to escape the constant psychological suffering he associated with his estrangement from his son.

Those close to him say that prolonged emotional distress and depression eventually affected his mental health, with his memory reportedly deteriorating considerably during the last phase of his life.

Despite his repeated desire to spend his later years with his son, Jafri allegedly remained separated from him. People close to the family say he once appealed to his son to call him to live with him, expressing a simple wish to remain by his side. The response, according to those familiar with the matter, offered no immediate resolution to the aging father’s plea.

In another emotional exchange, Jafri reportedly told his son that he feared he might not even attend his funeral. That fear, according to accounts surrounding his death, later became a painful reality.

After Jafri passed away, Suhail Bukhari reportedly contacted Shakeel Asghar around 11am to inform him of his father’s death. According to the account, Shakeel asked about the timing of the funeral and was informed that the funeral prayer and burial would take place after Asr prayers, with announcements already made to the public.

Despite being informed in time, he reportedly said that the funeral arrangements should proceed without him because he would be unable to attend. His absence from the final rites added another painful chapter to a family tragedy that had already deeply affected the deceased.

Jafri’s younger daughter was also reportedly absent from the final obligation, leaving his daughter Qandeel Jafri to shoulder the principal responsibility for arranging her father’s funeral and burial.

The family tragedy was further complicated by allegations that a niece in Darya Khan, whom Jafri had trusted, allegedly withdrew between Rs1.5 million and Rs2 million from his bank accounts. Despite the alleged financial betrayal, people close to Jafri say that he chose forgiveness rather than confrontation, reflecting the generosity for which he was widely known.

In the midst of these personal hardships, Qandeel Jafri emerged as the central figure in her father’s final days. Carrying the responsibilities of his funeral and last journey, she ensured that her father received a dignified farewell. Her determination has been widely described by those around her as a testament to her courage and devotion.

Jafri’s funeral prayer was offered at a local society graveyard and was attended by people from different sections of society and schools of thought. His death prompted an outpouring of grief across Bhakkar and Darya Khan, where many remembered him as a compassionate and influential figure who had touched numerous lives.

Following her father’s death, Qandeel Jafri has reportedly resolved to establish the Asad Jafri Trust and introduce the Asad Jafri Award. The proposed initiatives aim to preserve his name, values and philosophy and continue the social work associated with his life.

For the people who knew him, Asad Jafri’s story is not only about the death of a respected community figure. It is also a deeply emotional account of an aging father’s longing for family, the pain of estrangement and a daughter’s determination to protect her father’s dignity and legacy until the very end.