In Memory of Zaffar Iqbal Durrani

 

(19 January 1954 - 6 April 2020)

5th April was a day of an alarming news from Asif Ilyas  about critical health of Durrani, visiting his son (in Navy) at Gwadar, who had a massive heart attack. In fact the heart attack revisited him after ten years when he had his first stroke. He also shared a text message which Durrani has sent to him despite his deteriorating health:

بھائیوں، اسلام علیکم۔ کل شام مجھے شدید دل کا دورہ پڑا۔ بمشکل اللہ میاں کے پاس سے رات ایک بجے واپس آیا۔ ابھی تک معاملات پوری طرح ٹھیک نہیں ہوئے۔ چونکہ گوادر میں ہوں اور یہاں کوئی خاص انتظامات نہیں اسلئے کراچی شفٹ کرنے کی کوششیں کی جا رہی ہیں۔ استدعا ہے کہ اللہ تعالیٰ سے میرے لئے دعا کیجئے۔ اس دوران اگر میں نے کسی کا دل دکھایا ہے تو مجھے معاف کر دیں۔ میں نے سب کو معاف کیا۔ زندگی رہی تو پھر ملاقات ہو گی۔ فالحال اللہ حافظ و ناصر آپ سب کا۔ ظفر اقبال درانی

He was shifted to PNS Shifa Karachi on 6th April for his angioplasty. While all of us prayed for his longevity, we could not hear the good news of his recovery and instead received the message on 6th April, the fateful day in Durrani's life: 

For info of all. Maj Durrani expired during a procedure of angioplasty at PNS Shifa Karachi. Allah bless his soul, Ameen

Thus Durrani departed from us and his family. We have known him for almost 45 years since 1975 when we went to PMA. 

Durrani (third from right) at Para School with Wasif, Jamil, Farooq, Rauf and Khawar

Thereafter, Durrani has been very active all along his life and his flare for photography kept us post of many events and gatherings of the course and course mates. While posted at Quetta, he never missed in reporting an event or gathering of the few course mates posted at Quetta, specially Salim Nawaz and Agha Umer Farooq. Herein under are some of the photos he shared from Quetta:

30 September 2010 - The last photo Durrani shared from Quetta

14th September 2010 - Wedding of Durrani's son Sub Lt Aamir Ali (PN)

Durrani and General Kakar

ZID with others at Hayee's mother funeral 11 May 2016

Durrani making his fiery presence felt at Kalar Kahar get together 2017

Perhaps the last photo of Durrani at Wasif's office in Karachi, flanked by (L to R) Sultan, Salim, Wasif, Zahid and Tariq Zaidi

 

Durrani's sons in Navy and Army

Durrani had a voice of his own and did not hesitate to air his sentiments and viewpoint. He had created his very own WhatsApp group for the like minded friends and course mates. He also maintained a blog: O Lovely where he shared his viewpoint and humour.

With him gone, the messages of condolence flooded all WhatsApp groups. I am sharing some of these:

Zafar Masood:

Very sad to hear the shocking news of Zafar Durrani  departure to eternal abode . May Allah Bless his soul to rest in Jannat ul Firdous and Sabr to his family members. Zafar my Name sake will always be remembered in my prayers. We shared some unforgettable memories, the day we landed in PMA.

Ikram Kiyani:

Ever since receiving the sad news of departure of Durrani, I have been recalling his active role in bringing together of all colleagues through his WhatsApp group. Many like me might not have had close relations with him during service but in these years he had given warmness to the relationship of course mates. for that we will always miss him

بزمء جہاں میں جن سے اجالا تھا اے اجل

تو نے کیاں وہ چاند کے  ٹکڑے چھپا دئے

Abdul Rauf Khan:

اسلام علیکم و رحمت اللہ و براکاتہ ،

بھائیو، ہمارے بھائی ظفر اقبال درانی کا اپنے مقررہ وقت پر اپنی ابدی زندگی کی طرف کوچ کر جانا ایک حقیقت ہے، بہت جلد ہم سب نے بھی اسی طرح اچانک سب کچھ چھوڑ کر جانا ہے کیونکہ ہم اس عارضی دنیا میں آتے ہی جانے کے لیے ہیں،  مرحوم بھائی صاحب کا اس طرح جانا ہمارے لیے ہدایت کا باعث ہو اور اس دنیا کے حصول اور تماشے میں نہ الجھے رہیں 

اور جا نے کی تیاری پکڑیں (it is never late )

سب بھائیوں سے گزارش کہ درود پاک، سورہ فاتحہ اور سورہ اخلاص(3 دفعہ ) تلاوت فرما کر مرحوم بھائی ظفر اقبال درانی کی مغفرت کے لیے ایثال ثواب کریں اس کے علاوہ رات جو کھانا اپنے لیے تیار ہو اس کا اجر بھی مرحوم بھائی صاحب کی روح کو بخش دیں پاک ذات اپنے محبوب محمد صل اللہ علیہ وسلم کے صدقے ہمارے مرحوم  بھائی ظفر اقبال درانی کی مغفرت فرمائے اور جنت میں اعلی مقام عطا فرمائے   اللھم آمین یا رب العزت الکبیر بحق حق جامع الفقر شکریہ

Mukhtar:

55 LC Sigs parade state is minus 4. Namely Agha, Shafiq, Tariq Qureshi and now Durrani bhai. May Allah give them highest place in heavens. Ameen. We miss them all including all other course mate who have left us.

Shahid Maqbool:

Truly sad and shocking. What a loss to 55th. Just received the sad news. Our deepest condolences on passing away of a dear friend. May Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give strength and patience to his family & us all, Aameen

Javed Bajwa:

Inlillah w inallahe rajeon, I talked to him six days back for an hour, on a post about Alamgir, than we were gossiping about course mates, Tariq 3,his  Sons and a lot,, I have  lost a friend, I pray for blessings of departed soul Ameen

So this closes yet another chapter of our course - another familiar face obscured forever. May Allah bless Durrani and all our course mates who have left us earlier than us and rest their souls in peace up in the heavens. Ameen. 

Please refer to our Reference Page to read about all those of us who have left us midway for their Heavenly abode.