KARACHI (Pakistan): When India's former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away on December 25, hundreds of miles away 84-year-old Yasmeen Lari was inconsolable in Karachi.
She and her late husband, Suhail Zahir Lari, had not only hosted Manmohan Singh during his visit to Karachi in 1984 but had also been his classmates in London.
The news of Singh’s death brought back a flood of memories of their decades-long friendship, which transcended geographical and political boundaries and represented a rare and enduring bond.
Yasmeen Lari, a celebrated architect from Karachi, recalls the early days with a fondness that has not diminished with the passage of time.
“Yes, Mr Singh was a good friend of my husband Suhail,” she recalls.
Her husband Suhail – a well-known historian and author, who focussed on researching and documenting the history of the Sindh region in southern Pakistan – passed away in 2020.
Their friendship began at Oxford, where Suhail was studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) while Singh was pursuing his PhD.
The Oxford Majlis, a debating society founded by Indian students in 1896, was the starting point for their friendship, with Suhail serving as president.
It was in the attic-like flat where the Laris lived during their student days that the seeds of a lifelong friendship were sown.
Although Yasmeen was engrossed in her architecture studies and not directly involved in the budding friendship, the closeness between Singh and her husband was palpable.
The bond deepened in 1984 when Singh, who was attending a conference of bank governors in Karachi, made a special effort to re-establish the connection by visiting her home for tea.
This gesture was a testament to the enduring bond they had forged.
In the 70s and 80s, a time when contact across borders was difficult, communication between the two families waned.
“There was no internet back then, and the political climate wasn’t exactly helpful either,” says Yasmeen.
Strong Connections
Nevertheless, the connections remained strong. During a visit to India in the early 1990s, Yasmeen arranged for her to visit Singh, who was India's finance minister at the time.
Singh's simplicity and modesty impressed Yasmeen during her visits.
She recalls a visit to his home in Delhi, where there was a lack of ostentation that she would not have expected from a person of his stature.
“His house was sparsely furnished, his granddaughter played on the lawn and there was no conspicuous security — a stark contrast to what I was used to in Pakistan,” she remarked.
“It was always about engaging conversation and losing track of time - a testament to the depth of their conversations and the warmth of their friendship,” she explains.
The story of this friendship can also be found in Manmohan Singh’s daughter Daman Singh’s memoir, “Strictly Personal”, in which she describes her father’s deep bond with the Laris.
She writes about her father’s attachment to the Laris during her time at Oxford: “Manmohan spent long hours in the library. On his way home, he sometimes dropped in on the Laris. Engrossed in discussion with the Pakistani couple, he completely lost track of time while Gursharan waited anxiously at home.”
Gursharan Kaur, Singh’s wife, also has moving memories of this time. Despite the occasional frustration at Singh’s late return from the Laris' flat, the affection was undeniable.
These moments, spent in lively conversation, often made Gursharan restless as she waited for her husband on those cold Oxford nights.
Kaur vividly recalled these moments: “It took ages for him to come back. I felt so restless then. It was night. Kiki [her daughter] fell asleep. I picked her up — she was still asleep — and went to the bus stop. And I waited and waited. I kept telling him that it was not right for him to come home so late”
Despite the occasional scolding from Gursharan, Dr Singh’s bond with Sohail and Yasmeen remained unwavering.
Singh’s later visits to Karachi and other personal trips to Pakistan, such as his 1968 visit to Islamabad and the Sikh holy site of Panja Sahib, emphasised his deep attachment to the region.
Reflecting on the changes over the years, Singh felt a mixture of nostalgia and sadness, especially at the remoteness of the once bustling Panja Sahib.
Lifetime Memories
Yasmeen, who now looks back on a lifetime of memories, sees the friendship as a cherished link to a past that has remained rooted in respect and mutual admiration despite the intervening years and political upheavals.
“We may have lost sight of each other over the years, but the warmth and respect we shared remained,” she says.
After returning to Pakistan from England, Suhail Lari had a successful two-decade career in the corporate world, eventually becoming Managing Director of Khyber Insurance Company.
His tenure ended when the company was nationalised, after which he left the company to pursue historical research and conservation. Lari devoted himself to studying and documenting the rich history of the Sindh region in southern Pakistan.
Together with his wife Yasmeen Lari, he co-founded the Heritage Foundation Pakistan in 1980. This organisation became an important advocate for the preservation of Pakistan's decaying artistic, architectural and cultural heritage.
Under its leadership, the foundation focussed on the preservation of over 600 historical buildings, many of which were threatened by decay. One notable success was his efforts on behalf of the Makli Necropolis, which led to it being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thus preserved for future generations.
Lari was also a prolific author and photographer, whose works emphasised the historical significance of Sindh.
It was in Lahore that Lari met Yasmeen Ahsan, who became a well-known architect in Pakistan.
Suhail Lari's legacy ended on 5 December 2020 when he succumbed to complications from COVID-19 at the age of 84.
His life’s work has significantly shaped the cultural and architectural conservation landscape of Pakistan, leaving a lasting impression that continues to inspire conservation efforts and cultural appreciation across the region.
Manmohan Singh’s passing may mark the end of an era, but for Yasmeen and all who knew him, it is also an affirmation of the power of friendship that knows no boundaries — and a poignant reminder that human connections can transcend the greatest barriers.
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