Chef Zakir Passes Away in Karachi
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- April 22, 2025
- 5:07 pm
- 55
- Trending
Famous culinary chef and TV personality Chef Zakir Passes Away, leaving behind a rich legacy in Pakistan’s culinary world and the hearts of millions
Renowned chef and television personality Chef Zakir passes away in Karachi after a long battle with kidney disease. His nephew, Abdulwali Shayan Qureshi, confirmed the news, sharing that the beloved chef breathed his last on Monday evening.
Chef Zakir had been undergoing dialysis in the United States for some time. However, after doctors informed the family that further treatment would no longer help, he decided to return home. He came back to Pakistan about a month ago to spend his final days surrounded by loved ones.
His funeral prayer will take place after Asr today at Jamia Rashidiya in Malir, Saudabad, Karachi. He will be laid to rest in the Saudabad graveyard. Fans, fellow chefs, and culinary enthusiasts across the globe are mourning his loss.
Born on February 16, 1967, in Karachi, Zakir Qureshi came from a family of chefs. His father, Abdul Aziz Qureshi, served as a chef with a national airline and inspired Zakir’s journey into the culinary world. Zakir studied at Kulsoom Bai Valika School. Later, he went to Allama Iqbal College. He started his career in 1980. His first job was as an apprentice at the Sheraton Hotel Karachi, now called Movenpick.
Chef Zakir honed his skills across the globe. He worked in many countries, including Dubai, Singapore, South Africa, Botswana, and the Caribbean. He also spent more than ten years in the United Kingdom. These experiences shaped his signature style, blending global flavors with Pakistani food.
In the early 1990s, Zakir returned to Pakistan and entered the world of television. His warm personality and passion for cooking quickly made him a household name. He hosted several cooking shows, including the popular “Zakir’s Kitchen,” and made appearances on Indus TV, ARY, Masala TV, Hum TV, and Urdu1.
He wasn’t just a chef—he was a mentor. Thousands learned to cook by following his shows and simple recipes. His ability to teach professional-level cooking in a friendly and easy way helped him earn a loyal fanbase across Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and beyond.
In 2014, he also served as a judge on MasterChef Pakistan, the local version of the international cooking competition. The show went on to be nominated for the 19th Asian Television Awards, marking a proud moment for Pakistan’s culinary scene.
Chef Zakir also authored several cookbooks and opened two restaurants in Karachi: Shaan-e-Mughlia in Gulshan-i-Iqbal and the Clifton Grill. Though he later sold them, his influence on Pakistan’s food industry remained unmatched.
He once said in an interview, “I don’t go out and socialise. I don’t have an interest in watching movies or listening to music or anything else… I just know how to cook. Food is my life.”
Today, social media is filled with heartfelt tributes. Fans are sharing memories, recipes, and personal stories of learning from him. His passion, dedication, and love for food continue to live on through the meals people cook in kitchens everywhere.
