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Owner of tourist hotspot Cafe de Hunza passes away

Shafqat Ali is remembered as a warm, affectionate person who co-created the famous Hunza Walnut Cake

04 Jun, 2017

Shafqat Ali, the owner of tourist hotspot Cafe de Hunza, passed away after cardiac arrest yesterday, according to reports on social media.

Cafe de Hunza is famous as a must-visit eatery in Hunza for tourists and is known to serve the Hunza Walnut Cake, a dense pastry-like cake with a caramel walnut filling.

The Hunza Walnut Cake at Cafe de Hunza — Photo by Sahar Habib

Shafqat Ali made an immediate impression on his customers, many of whom took to Twitter to express their sadness at his unexpected demise.

Shafqat bhai, owner of #CafeDeHunza, passed away today. One of the nicest persons we met in Hunza. May his soul rest in peace.

A post shared by @lubna.javaid on Jun 3, 2017 at 3:24am PDT

The dawn of a sad day, the loss of another gentle, kind soul- Shafqat Sahib, of cafe de Hunza, is no more- can't ever forget how he quietly kept the cafe open well after closing time, while we brainstormed for one of the initial Chalay thay Saath sessions, not wanting to disturb us- he was a great support for all the birthday celebrations while we shot there last year, contributing at very short notice the awesome chocolate cakes, the uncountable cups of coffee, Nutella pancakes and rosti which the kids grew to love and the amazing walnut cake we cherished after a hard day of shoot. His advice and point of view was highly valued-Hunza will surely not be the same- RIP Shafqat Sb

A post shared by beenish waiz-umer (@beenishwaiz) on Jun 3, 2017 at 10:34am PDT

Farewell Shafqat bhai. Here's to all our conversations and jokes, Mirza Kuchak stories and talks on progress, society and doctrines; all our ya ali madad Arsalan bhais, and all our chalen ijazat hai Shafqat bhais! Our equal passions of coffee and travel, clouds and humanity. Farewell dost. Farewell! I am deeply saddened and in my heart, I know that Hunza for me will never be the same again. We talked two days back and I told you I'd be there soon. I still remember you said "hamara mausam hua wa hai". Ijazat hai Shafqat bhai! :( #cafedehunza

A post shared by Arsalan Somjee (@arsalanazs) on Jun 3, 2017 at 1:09am PDT

Comments

Sara Jun 04, 2017 02:21pm

Inna ilahi wa inna e layhi raji un. Our family were fortunate enough to have enjoyed the hospitality of Shafqat Ali's Cafe De Hunza and sampling the special walnut cake during a tour of the Northern Valleys some years ago. May his soul rest in peace.

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Huma Jun 04, 2017 02:22pm

Inna lil lahay wainna ilahay rajaioon :( so many young people are dying because of cardiac arrest :(

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naji Jun 04, 2017 03:12pm

Very sad, really sad event. I have never visited Hunza valley but I am sure that his hotel and its products are fantastic. I am looking at his mouth watering cafe products. I will try to visit this Hunza valley soon.

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zak Jun 04, 2017 03:15pm

Prayers to the great achievers and people of Pakistan. He will be missed.

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Farooq Jawed Jun 04, 2017 03:36pm

"Shafqat Bhai" may he RIP. Its about time that Pakistan start educating its citizens of Heart disease before we lose more, relatively young, human treasure to this dreaded disease. The education should be on the causes, diet, benefits of walking and exercise and, as much as possible, regular check ups. We must do it before we lose more of our young talent to this avoidable disease. Couple of days ago we lost Aamir Zaki and now this stalwart of Hunza.

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Farooq Jawed Jun 04, 2017 03:54pm

@Huma You are right. So many of them, and in some case avoidable by education. If only we were to spread the word of what causes heart disease and the precautions we can take to avoid it.

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Awan Jun 04, 2017 03:55pm

May Allah bless him.

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aafiyat Nazar Jun 04, 2017 04:23pm

Shafqat Ali was indeed a gem of Hunza. His sudden departure has really saddened many people. May his soul rest in eternal peace

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jun 04, 2017 06:17pm

INNA LILLA HAY WAA INNA ILLEHEY RAJAYOON.

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Inzamam Jun 04, 2017 11:00pm

Miss you uncle shaqat. You are indeed the best and honest person in hunza and in ismailli community. May Moula Rest Your soul in eternal peace ameen.

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Saira Jun 06, 2017 05:22am

A big loss to the local community and Pak tourism. I first discovered his cafe in this raw and exceptionally charming documentary called "Pakistan a different agenda" which is about a bunch of crazy riders who cruise through Pakistan's amazing beauty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVZ4OlaVKAc Check out and you will fall in love. Thanks to Moin Khan who introduced us to this beauty and gem of a person. RIP.

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