Beloved Zubaida Apa laid to rest

Renowned chef and media personality Zubaida Tariq, who passed away late Thursday night at the age of 72 after a brief illness, was laid to rest on Friday in Karachi.

She is survived by a son and a daughter. Her funeral prayer was offered at Sultan Mosque in Defence after Friday prayers. People from various walks of life, including showbusiness, attended the funeral.

Zubaida Apa had nine siblings, including playwright Anwar Maqsood, author and poet Zehra Nigah, designer Sughra Kazmi, and the late Fatima Surraiya Bajiya. Fondly known as Zubaida Apa, she was famous for her culinary skills and housekeeping advice (totkas). She also hosted several widely viewed cooking shows and wrote cookbooks. She made her television debut back in 1996 when she was in her 50s. Her first programme — 'Dalda Ka Dastarkhwan' — soon went on to become a widely popular evening engagement.

“I know people will remember me well,” she once said. “I tell my husband if I die, please have this inscribed on my tombstone: Zubaida Apa totkay wali.” Sindh Governor Mohammed Zubair and Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar expressed deep grief over her demise. In their messages, both offered condolences to Anwar Maqsood, the deceased’s elder brother, and prayed for the departed soul and the family bearing the loss.

The governor said that Zubaida Apa through television promoted housekeeping advice and native (desi) treatment methods. He added that she was a simple lady and despite being in the media limelight, she, like her eldest sister, remained ready to help everyone.

Zubair further said that her death has created a vacuum which will take time to fill. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also expressed grief in a statement, as did a plethora of politicians, journalists and members of the entertainment industry.