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.
COMMENTS (47)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
baba g God give u place in heaven ameen,
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!
i think he is the only man ,who love his country without keeping expectation from the country.
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;
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
Respect!
Inna Lillahae Wa Inna Ilayhe Rajioon True loss for the Pakistan , May his soul rest in peace!
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un. A true legend. May Allah grant him Jannah.
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.
Visited Wagah at least 5 times since 2008 and always saw him across the border waving the Pak flag.He will surely be missed
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
rest in peace, chacha
@Rana Amjad: what a shame
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...
RIP...there can never be a good enough replacement for Chacha Pakistan. You will be missed sir, Allah grant you heaven.
I met with him last year and had a picture with him.
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 !
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.
Allah bless him Janat. These are our real heroes who raise our voice and show real face of Pakistan
He reminded me of Chacha Cricket! Our Rangers would be very lonely without him. Let's find a replacement for them.
“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
RIP. He will be missed at the border.
@unicorn: SubhaanAllah!
RIP
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.
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.
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.
Rest in Peace :)
Lost a beautiful person of this soil. Sad day.
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.
"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.
A legend
May Allah grant him Jannat!! Ameen'
RIP.
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.
Come on guys.. It's a typo.
God rest his soul in peace.(Ameen)
I think in a hurry reporter put his D.O.B :D
Born in 1992 ??? ... so he was younger than me...;)
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
Born in 1992?
He was born in 1992 ;-)