- 15 Aug 2012
Thousands celebrate Aug 14 at Wagah border - 11 Aug 2012
100 more Hindu pilgrims cross Wagah Border
- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.1
Alerts
Wagah Border's Chacha Pakistani passes away at 90
Chacha Pakistani went to the border everyday adorned in his kurta made out of a flag of Pakistan.
Chacha Pakistani went to the border everyday adorned in his kurta made out of a flag of Pakistan. PHOTO: ONLINE
LAHORE: Chacha Pakistani, the man who come rain or shine would reach the Wagah Border for the flag ceremony, passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday.
If you have ever been to the Wagah Border, you would have seen Chacha Pakistani dressed in the Pakistani flag and waving one around too.
His real name was Mehar Din. He was born in 1922 and was unmarried. While his brothers migrated to Pakistan at the time of its creation, Chacha came here post partition. He had no home of his own and lived with his nephews.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Chacha Pakistani’s nephew said: “Ever since we were born, we have seen him go there [Wagah Border] routinely.”
“He loved military rule and disliked democratic governments,” the nephew added. Former president Parvaiz Musharraf had sent him for Umrah on a political quota.
He also revealed that his uncle had no source of income and made a living out of money people would hand him at the border.
Living some 40km away, he would hitch hike to Wagah every day, getting out of one car and getting into another – willing to even walk to reach his destination.
Chacha Pakistani had also received awards and certificates from Rangers and other officials visiting the border.
Devoted to Pakistan and a true patriot, Chacha Pakistani went to the border everyday adorned in his kurta made out of a flag of Pakistan.
He had this eccentricity, his nephew said, where he believed the flag of Pakistan should never touch the ground. They said he was almost scared of it happening.
The cause of his death remains vague as his family did not have money to take him to a hospital. All that is known is that he had had a fever and cough since the past few days.
Amazingly, no one from the border wanted to know why the man who religiously went there every day had stopped coming.
Chacha’s hometown was a village in Punjab called Chandrai where he will be laid to rest today, wrapped in his beloved green and white flag.
Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously stated that Chacha Pakistani was born in 1992. The error has been fixed.
Related Videos
Reader Comments (47)
Pakistan Latest Stories
Exhibition: 150 photographers to showcase work at Alhamra
2nd National Photographic Art Exhibition will start from May 27 at the Alhamra Art Gallery.
Learning Difficulties: 'Slow learners should get separate budget'
Government should treat persons with learning disabilities as a separate entity in budget documents, says Kamran.
Land dispute: Student shot dead, father, brother injured
Police arrest five of the 13 men nominated in the FIR.
Bank robbery: Cop, robber die in hostage rescue
Seven bank employees taken hostage, escape unharmed.
Consumer court: Warrants issued for 9 shop owners, doctor
Arrest warrants were issued on petitions seeking implementation of court orders.
Art=(Love)2: ‘A refreshing change of theme’
Film had won six international awards, says the director.
Contemporary art: Infusing the old with the new
Themes like violence, commoditisation of women, globalisation and Sufism explored.
Measles outbreak: ‘Deaths due to ignorance, not bad vaccine’
Heads of hospitals say children could have been saved by prompt treatment.
LHC moved to punish Altaf Hussain for ‘anti-state speech’
‘Altaf doesn’t qualify for parliament so can’t be MQM chief’.
Balochistan’s woes: ‘There are no-go areas as there are no roads’
Caretaker CM asks for universities to take in more Baloch students.
Recent Slideshows
More in Pakistan
Iran hangs three ‘terrorists’ for 2010 bombings
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2013 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? [email protected]
He was born in 1992 ;-)
Recommend
Recommend
Born in 1992?
Recommend
Award should be given to people like Chacha, don’t you think he deserve the better treatment? :’( seriously this is unfair with a patriot like chacha.. Hope one day we over come these problems. Inna Lillah Wa inna illahe Rajioun
Recommend
Born in 1992 ??? … so he was younger than me…;)
Recommend
God rest his soul in peace.(Ameen)
I think in a hurry reporter put his D.O.B :D
Recommend
Come on guys.. It’s a typo.
Recommend
Sad news. He loved the territory from his heart but no one noticed his absence on the border post. May Allah rest his soul in peace. Very rarely such personalities are born. Thanks to ET for carrying the news. May be departed soul can get some place in future history of Pakistan. Some film/drama writer/producer can go in depth behind the philosophy for his daily going to boarder in Pakistan flag dress and make a good drama/film out of it. Story can be very aspiring for many if properly recorded and presented.
Recommend
RIP.
Recommend
Rest in Peace Baba Ji
May ALLAH give you jannatRecommend
May Allah grant him Jannat!! Ameen’
Recommend
A legend
Recommend
Today I am feeling very sad , We have these brilliant characters scattered all around in different segments of society and no body cares.
I am a Pakistani national living in US. When I see how society and Government takes care of poor and weak , and I feel content and proud to be part to this humane society.
But on the other hand I have a dream to build similar society back home where rule of law prevails and rich and powerful take care of weak ones.
One day I hope before the time of my leaving this world Insha Allah.
Recommend
“LAHORE: Chacha Pakistani, the man who come rain or shine would reach the Wagah Border for the flag ceremony, passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday.”
He was probably born in (2012-90=) 1922. Inna lillah wa inna ilaihe rajeoon. May Allah grant him a place in jannat. In 1947 he was about 25 years old and for the past 65 years he attended the flag ceremony. Pakistan government should recommend his name to the GWR book.
Regards.
Recommend
Lost a beautiful person of this soil. Sad day.
Recommend
Rest in Peace :)
Recommend
if we have an iota of patriotism left is us we should erect a small memorial for chacha near the border where he spent his life. there should be a narrative of his devotion to Pakistan for all to emulate.
Recommend
Chacha’s personality reminds me one of the poem of Thomas Campion when I was little
The man of life upright,
Whose guiltless heart is free
From all dishonest deeds,
Or thought of vanity;
The man whose silent days
In harmless joys are spent,
Whom hopes cannot delude,
Nor sorrow discontent;
That man needs neither towers
Nor armour for defence,
Nor secret vaults to fly
From thunder’s violence:
He only can behold
With unaffrighted eyes
The horrors of the deep
And terrors of the skies.
Thus, scorning all the cares
That fate or fortune brings,
He makes the heaven his book,
His wisdom heavenly things;
Good thoughts his only friends,
His wealth a well-spent age,
The earth his sober inn
And quiet pilgrimage.
Recommend
@fareed: if u cant be like one then atleast have some courtesy to show respect..it wasn’t kinky at all to play with those numbers!Recommend
wonder how few guyz over here can show the level of there dis-respect towards a patriotic person..unable to understand from the picture that he can’t b from 1990′s…if u can’t be like one then atleast have the courtesy to show respect..shame on u guys..seriously!..Recommend
Although sad, but this is some kind of news in the depressed envrionment of Pakistan which enable us to remember our true patriots. Please recite Surah Fatiha for him.
Recommend
RIP
Recommend
@unicorn: SubhaanAllah!
Recommend
RIP. He will be missed at the border.
Recommend
“Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness; and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy… or they become legends.” ― Jim Harrison
Chacha Pakistani was one such crazy many; a legend. We shall remain indebted to him for teaching us a lesson on patriotism.
Inna Lillahae Wa Inna Ilayhe Rajioon
Recommend
He reminded me of Chacha Cricket! Our Rangers would be very lonely without him. Let’s find a replacement for them.
Recommend
Allah bless him Janat. These are our real heroes who raise our voice and show real face of Pakistan
Recommend
These are real heroes of this Nation. We salute you Baba and will miss you. You made us proud. Saddest day of life. May Allah rest his soul in peace. We can’t fail as we still have such people in this country.
Recommend
No one can match the level of HIS love, strength, and craziness for his homeland, he was old but STRONG ! My Salute to him, may Allah bless him with Jannah and eternal peace !
Recommend
I met with him last year and had a picture with him.
Recommend
Why we don’t recognize our heroes??
For Pakistanis demise of Chopra wasn’t more important than this loss(atleast not for me)
Still Our Electronic media was mourning Indian Chopra & no coverage at all to this patriotic Pakistani..!
Why?? is there any answer??
Recommend
RIP…there can never be a good enough replacement for Chacha Pakistan. You will be missed sir, Allah grant you heaven.
Recommend
Rest in peace Chacha g. I’m sorry that in this country the media is more interested in the marriage of Saif and death of Chopra… U were a true Pakistani. May ALLAH reward you in the next life…
Recommend
@Rana Amjad:
what a shame
Recommend
rest in peace, chacha
Recommend
Pakistani Media Should Be Shame.
They showing the Death of Yash Chopra talking about Saif and Kareena Marriage but no 1 can tell about Chacha Pakistani Death.
Love you Chacha Pakistani . May ALLAH Allah grant you heaven.
Ameen, Sum Ameen
Recommend
Visited Wagah at least 5 times since 2008 and always saw him across the border waving the Pak flag.He will surely be missed
Recommend
Today I am feeling very sad , We have these brilliant characters scattered all around in different segments of society and no body cares.
I am a Pakistani national living in US. When I see how society and Government takes care of poor and weak , and I feel content and proud to be part to this humane society.
But on the other hand I have a dream to build similar society back home where rule of law prevails and rich and powerful take care of weak ones.
One day I hope before the time of my leaving this world Insha Allah.
Recommend
@Sarim:
This is the website of a pakistani news channel and it is running this news.Recommend
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. A true legend. May Allah grant him Jannah.
Recommend
Inna Lillahae Wa Inna Ilayhe Rajioon
True loss for the Pakistan , May his soul rest in peace!
Recommend
Respect!
Recommend
Remember meeting him and seeing how passionate he was. He went over to the ladies sitting in the front row and said the priceless phrase: “maran jogiooo naree maroo”! We were in fits afterwards. May Allah grant his soul a place in heaven…Ameen
Recommend
i think he is the only man , who love his country without keeping any expectation from country,and never say ,’is mulk ne hmy kya diya;
Recommend
i think he is the only man ,who love his country without keeping expectation from the country.
Recommend
Oho! Typo! He was born in 1922! He was 25 when Pakistan came into being. That’s probably the reason why he was so patriotic. He saw everything happen right before his eyes….wow.. it’s kind of sad that he passed away. May Allah grant him Jannat ul Firdaus. Aameen!
Recommend
baba g God give u place in heaven ameen,
Recommend