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Some people are born great; others achieve greatness through sheer struggle, perseverance, and hard work. And then there are those who cross milestones with nature and destiny smiling upon them — they shine, excel, and sail through all odds. As the celebrated poet A. E. Housman rightly said, “Luck’s a chance, but trouble’s sure.” Those whom fortune favours still have to struggle with consistency and steadfastness, remaining loyal to the ideals and causes they pursue. Aftab Shahban Mirani, son of the historic and fertile soil of Shikarpur, belonged to that rare class of individuals whom both nature and destiny favoured — not by accident, but in recognition of his steadfastness, consistency, and loyalty. The veteran and seasoned politician Aftab Shahban Mirani passed away peacefully after a brief illness on November 1, 2025, in Karachi. His death is being widely mourned by party comrades of all ranks, with condolences pouring in from across the country. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, PPP MPA from Shikarpur Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh, and other PPP stalwarts expressed deep grief over his demise, terming it a colossal loss to the party and to Pakistan at large. Surely, simple, honest, competent, loyal, and principled people of Mirani Saheb’s stature are a distinct breed — seldom found in today’s political landscape. His passing has caused an irreparable loss — not only to his family and party but to a nation that needed the wisdom of a serene, sober, and sagacious parliamentarian. The void left by his death can hardly be filled. Aftab Shahban Mirani enjoyed a long, distinguished, and eventful political career, marked by grace and dignity. He began his journey in local government as Chairman of the Shikarpur Municipal Committee and rose steadily through the ranks of public life. He served as Senior Minister in Sindh, then as the 18th Chief Minister of Sindh (25 February – 6 August 1990), and later as Defense Minister of Pakistan in Benazir Bhutto’s government (1993–1996). He returned multiple times to the National Assembly and twice to the Sindh Assembly. He was also the PPP’s presidential candidate, contesting against Rafiq Ahmed Tarar — a contest that reflected his stature and the trust the party reposed in him. Mirani was among the founding directors of the Islamabad-based “Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Foundation” and served on the Board of Trustees of ZABIST, contributing to educational and policy initiatives inspired by Bhutto’s vision. Despite the power and influence he held, he never projected an image of pomp or pageantry. He remained humble, unpretentious, and unshowy. His life was marked by simplicity and humility — rare traits among Pakistan’s power elites. He believed in quiet dignity rather than extravagant display. A calm, serene, and sober man — an epitome of nobility and a paragon of virtue — Aftab Shahban was widely regarded as a gentleman and a man of principles. Even his critics acknowledged his qualities of head and heart. No allegations of corruption or misuse of authority ever stained his spotless career. Known for his affability, he was always impeccably dressed, active, and reflective. Humble in demeanor yet courageous in conviction, he spoke his mind fearlessly. I recall hearing him on the floor of the National Assembly when Ilahi Bakhsh Soomro was Speaker — his fluent and lucid English, coupled with candid remarks against the then CBR Chairman Moinuddin, were both powerful and persuasive. He enjoyed cordial relations with politicians, military officers, and bureaucrats alike. His close association with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the trust he enjoyed from Benazir Bhutto, who affectionately called him “Uncle,” reflected the depth of his political relationships. Mirani’s long career brought him close to the corridors of power. His vast political network and firsthand knowledge of Pakistan’s shifting political landscape could have filled many books. Despite encouragement from Benazir Bhutto and others, he never wrote his memoirs — taking with him a treasure of untold stories, rich experiences, and political insights. I personally urged him in 2006 to pen down his experiences, but he smiled and said, “Mohtarma Benazir too advised me the same.” Alas, he departed leaving behind a wealth of wisdom that could have guided future generations. The late Barrister Mazhar S. Kazi, a learned man and my benefactor at Haroon House Chambers, Karachi, was among Mirani’s close companions. Kazi often praised Mirani’s inborn qualities — integrity, intellect, and steadfastness — that helped him rise through the ranks while maintaining his principles. Their friendship and mutual admiration stand as testimony to Mirani’s enviable character. A man of his rare qualities can now be counted on one’s fingers. Born in Shikarpur in 1940, Aftab Shahban Mirani graduated from the University of Sindh and later attended a training course in Agriculture in the United States. Politics was deeply embedded in his family heritage. His father, Ghulam Qadir Shahban, served as a member of the Central Legislative Assembly (1937), while his mother, Begum Sharaf-un-Nisa Shahban, played a pioneering role in the Pakistan Movement as General Secretary of the Women’s Wing of the Sindh Muslim League. She was the first elected Muslim woman member of the Sindh Assembly, and in recognition of her services, received the title of “Kaiser-i-Hind” from the Viceroy of India — the only woman from Sindh to be so honoured. On Quaid-e-Azam’s advice, she later returned the award. Mirani’s wife, Safia Aftab Mirani, who passed away in October 2007, was the daughter of Allah Bux Soomro, the pre-partition Chief Minister (Premier) of Sindh. Everyone must leave this mortal world for reunion with the Almighty Creator. To dust we belong, and to dust we return. Mirani lived a long, content, and dignified life, departing peacefully at the age of 85. He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, humility, and loyal service — and an irreplaceable void in the political landscape of Sindh and Pakistan. May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace and grant him the highest abode in the gardens of paradise. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
