HEARING of the death of Yaqoob Khan, fondly known as “Jani,” has brought a deep and lingering sorrow to all who knew him. Jani was that rare soul who devoted his entire life to spreading smiles—lighting up faces with his wit, warmth, and boundless good cheer. His passing has undoubtedly cast a pall of sadness over the entire region. May Allah Almighty grant Yaqoob Khan His infinite mercy and forgiveness. Ameen.
Often described as the emperor of laughter, Jani was more than just a humorist; he was a beloved public figure whose personality cut across every boundary of caste, color, and creed. His fame as a comedian and entertainer was not of the ordinary kind—it was rooted in sincerity, simplicity, and an unwavering desire to inject joy into the lives of others. A couple of years ago, Dildar Ali Qamar beautifully captured these very traits in his inspiring Facebook reflection, which this writer later highlighted in a piece titled “Jani – A Humorist Par Excellence” (windowtogb.com, dated 19 April 2021). Qamar’s portrayal distilled the essence of a man whose life was a continuous celebration of lightheartedness and goodwill.
Jani possessed a distinctive charm: his gait had a rhythm of its own, and his particular manner of speaking brimmed with vitality—a joie de vivre that was unmistakably his trademark. He instinctively avoided controversial discussions and trivial arguments, preferring instead the liberating simplicity of laughter. When telling jokes—which he loved passionately—his excitement would sometimes cause him to stutter, adding yet another comical layer to his delivery. Widely known throughout the Gilgit region, Jani became an emblem of harmony, using humor as a thread to stitch together diverse segments of society.
One of his most delightful traits was his spontaneous code-switching. Though he normally spoke in the local vernacular, he would occasionally interject flamboyant Punjabi expressions he had picked up during his time in Lahore. Whether his Punjabi was accurate or not hardly mattered—its charm lay in the boldness of his attempt and the comic effect it produced.
My own earliest memory of Jani takes me back to 1975. It was the time when he briefly worked as a waiter—or “table-boy”—at the late Haji Aman Ali of Mohallah Dakpura, Gilgit's hotel at D.A.V College Road, Rawalpindi. He had just returned from Lahore, brimming with youthful exuberance and newly acquired “Punjabi prowess.” He would proudly pepper his conversations with select Punjabi phrases while taking orders from guests, much to the amusement of onlookers. His exaggerated accent, though entertaining, was hardly suited to the decorum of hotel service. The resulting laughter sometimes tipped into ridicule, and eventually he was dismissed from the job. Yet even this episode, rather than dampening his spirits, seemed only to fuel the evolution of his comedic persona.
In his leisure hours, Jani would set out from his doorstep toward the Gilgit bazaar, where his true calling awaited him. As he made his way through the bustling marketplace, he would casually greet passersby, crack jokes, and spark spontaneous bursts of laughter. His arrival in the bazaar often created a ripple of excitement—people would stop, gather around him, and exchange witty banter and playful remarks. His humor grew livelier as the day advanced, and what began as a simple stroll often transformed into a roaming festival of joy.
Today, in a world overshadowed by anxiety, pessimism, divisiveness and the incessant chorus of doom and gloom, individuals like Jani are exceedingly rare. He served as a release valve for the community—someone who helped people unburden their hearts, even if momentarily. His presence fostered camaraderie, strengthened traditional bonds of fraternity, and contributed quietly yet powerfully to social cohesion.
The loss of such a person is not merely the loss of an entertainer—it is the loss of a cultural asset, a unifying force, and a living symbol of human warmth. Jani’s laughter may have been gentle and fleeting in sound, but its echo will long remain in the collective memory of the people he brightened.
May the soul of this seeker of harmony and happiness continue to be blessed with eternal peace. Ameen.
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