KARACHI: Prominent Karachi University (KU) teacher Dr Shakeel-ur-Rehman Farooqi passed away on Monday morning due to Covid-19 related complications. He was 60.

His funeral prayers were offered at KU’s Masjid-i-Ibrahim and later he was buried in the university graveyard.

He has left behind his mother, wife, a son and a daughter.

An exceptional orator, Dr Farooqi was popular on campus for his activism for teachers’ and students’ rights. He was also a prolific writer, anchorperson and columnist.

Born in Hyderabad in 1960, Dr Farooqi studied at Sindh University Model School and completed matriculation in 1975 from Hyderabad board.

Later, he moved to Karachi and completed his intermediate education in 1978 from the National College and bachelors in science (botany) from KU with a gold medal. He completed postgraduate diploma in statistics in 1984 and MSc in genetics in 1986.

Dr Farooqi joined KU as a lecturer at the genetics department in 1988 and was promoted to the post of assistant professor in 1995. He got a scholarship from University of Kansas, USA, where he completed his PhD in 1994.

Throughout his teaching career, which spanned over three decades, he remained active on campus, raising voice on all matters related to teachers, education and university administration. He retired from the university last year.

“He was a perfectionist and his love for Pakistan and the university was intense. It pained him to see anything going wrong on the KU campus and never hesitated to raise his voice,” said Prof Abid Hasnain, a close friend of Dr Farooqi, adding ideological differences could never dampen their relationship.

“His memory was extraordinary and he maintained contacts with all senior KU teachers who had retired from the university a long time back. Also, he had a refined taste for clothing and had a friendly and sociable manner.”

Prof Faiyaz Vaid described Dr Farooqi as a great friend and engaging conversationalist. “He used to organize literary and social programmes despite facing unfavourable circumstances and personal challenges.”

He was twice elected as the president of Karachi University Teachers’ Society (Kuts), served as member KU syndicate, vice president and secretary of Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association.

He was also the last elected president of KU’s student union.

KU acting Vice Chancellor Prof Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, president Arts Council of Pakistan (Karachi) Ahmed Shah, senior leader of Jamaat-i-Islami Dr Meraj-ul-Huda Siddiqui, KU registrar Professor Dr Abdul Waheed, former registrar Professor Dr Saleem Shahzad, deans and chairmen of various faculties, Kuts president Prof Shah Ali Ul Qadr, its members, teachers, administrative staff, students and others attended the funeral prayers.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2021