By: Hameed Henry
In the passing of Afzal Jacob, after a brief illness on 8th March 2026, the academic circle and the Christian community lost an iconic teacher and social activist. He served in the administration in the education sector, with an unwavering commitment to education, justice, and service to the people of Karachi for nearly 45 years, shaping the lives of countless students through his leadership and wisdom. He served with distinction as Principal of St. Jude’s High School, Mariam Higher Secondary School for Girls and later as Principal of St. Paul’s High School, where he was widely admired for his discipline, integrity, and dedication to academic excellence.
He served as an Inspector of Urdu medium schools for Catholic Board, which were mostly in the poor localities such as Azam Town, Qayyumabad, and North Nazimabad. The institutions benefited from his vision of nurturing not only intellectual growth but also moral and spiritual development among the students.
Besides his contributions to school education, Jacob remained deeply involved in strengthening Catholic institutions and promoting social justice. He served as a Member of the Executive Board and Chairperson of the erstwhile Idara-e-Amn-o-Insaf, Karachi, where he actively supported initiatives advocating for human and workers’ rights, social justice, equality, and minorities’ rights.
His commitment to theological education and the intellectual formation of the future Church leaders was reflected in his role as a Member of the Board of Governors of the National Catholic Institute of Theology, Karachi. In this capacity, he contributed his experience and insight to support the formation programs of the seminarians.
Jacob also served as a Member of the Board of Governors of St. Patrick’s College, where his guidance helped sustain the college’s longstanding tradition of academic excellence and service to society and the nation.
Archbishop Benny Travas, while presiding over his memorial service, said, “Throughout his life, Jacob remained a humble and devoted individual who believed deeply in the transformative power of education. During his stewardship at St. Jude’s, Nazimabad and St. Paul’s School, Sadar, Karachi he remained generous in granting admission to the underprivileged students and deserving students.”
His colleagues remember him as a principled leader and compassionate mentor, while his students recall a teacher who inspired them to pursue knowledge with purpose and integrity.
“His passing leaves a profound void in the educational and Catholic community especially in Karachi, but his legacy lives on in the institutions he served and the many lives he touched” said Mr. Sagar Bhatti, a teacher at St. Jude School, Karachi.
Speaking at the funeral in Lahore his daughter Dr. Alshey Rida Jacob said, “as a loving husband and responsible father Papa worked hard to achieve his noble ideals for his offspring and family, evident in the remarkable academic and professional achievements of their children, Dr. Ashley Adrian Jacob, the Senior Pharmacist, working at Trauma Centre, Karachi and Dr. Ashbeel Jacob, New Jersy, USA.
Speaking at his memorial reference in Karachi, a well know human rights activist and his brother Peter Jacob, said, “We laid Afzal Bhai to rest, with remorse but also with pride and satisfaction that he led a dignified life and brought progress and happiness to many fellow beings”.
While offering our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Margaret Afzal Jacob (former Chief Nursing Superintendent of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Karachi), their children as well as their extended families I pray that God may grant them fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace and his legacy may inspire others to continue to make this world a better place.