Died: Khursheed Kekobad Ardeshir Marker, 85, the only Parsi in Pakistan to be nominated as a Federal Minister of Cabinet, respected pharmaceutical industrialist and former president of the Quetta Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman (QPZA), on December 11, 2010 in Karachi following cardiorespiratory failure caused by complications arising from Parkinson’s disease.
"It always impressed me (that)… he was resolved to stay and to do what he could to contribute to the country into which he had stumbled and that gave fairly limited quarter to people of his religion and background… To be a minority is to live a steady stream of minor indignities, of doors that close in your face, of possibilities that disappear as you approach them. (Marker) exuded a sense of dignity that bespoke an approach to the world that rose above such things. Rarely have I met someone who put principles first to the extent that he did. Whether duty or friendship or public service, doing what was right came first, even when there was a price to be paid for it,” noted a tribute by Mark Halle, director Europe, International Institute of Sustainable Development, who enjoyed Marker’s "rare combination of wisdom and an impish sense of humor.”
"His talent drew the attention of several policy makers. He was appointed minister for water and power during the caretaker government of Moeen Qureshi, and was a member of the debt reduction and management committee set up by the government of Pervez Musharraf,” noted an obituary write-up in The Express Tribune of December 14, 2010. There were other government organizations and statutory bodies where Marker held senior positions. He was chairman/director of the Pakistan Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation for nearly three decades. Among the many other companies where he served as director were the National Discounting Services Limited, Pakistan Steel Mills Limited, Security Papers Limited, ICI Pakistan Limited, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, ARY Communications (Private) Limited. He was also member of the National Finance Commission, policy board of the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Debt Reduction and Management Committee, National De-regulation Commission and Public Accounts Committee of Balochistan. His opinions were acclaimed "for their clarity and their sense of purpose and for the wisdom that he would bestow owing to his wealth of experience.”
"He was a true gentleman of high integrity. He enjoyed the admiration of all those who came in contact with him,” commended Rafiq Habib, chairman of the House of Habib. Besides being director of Habib Bank, Marker was director of the State Bank of Pakistan and chairman of Security Investment Bank Limited. "He was a great man with extraordinary qualities of humanity and leadership,” commented Sadruddin Hashwani who heads the Hashoo Group of Companies.
Educational institutions sought his expertise too like his alma mater, the Karachi Grammar School where he was member of the board of governors until his demise, the Chand Bagh School and even the University Grants Commission where he served as member. On behalf of the Chand Bagh Foundation president Maj (R) Shaukat Jilan Khan referred to the "commendable and unforgettable” contribution made by the Markers and stated, "Though I have met your father only once I cannot forget his admirable personality.”
(Top): Khur-sheed Marker; (above right) with wife Roshan and children Ardeshir, Aban, Meher; (far left); with his grandchildren (standing from l) Sohrab, She-heryar, Arish, Shahpur, (sitting) Shereen,Rustam, Kekobad and Rosheen with Feroze
Born in Hyderabad, India, Marker’s formative education was at the Grammar School in Quetta, later at the Grammar School in Karachi and thereafter at the Doon School in Dehradun following the great earthquake in Quetta in 1935. Subsequent to gaining his MA Tripos in natural sciences from Queen’s College, Cambridge University in 1947 he returned to Quetta and helped his father establish Marker Alkaloids, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies and brand names in Pakistan today.
Acknowledging Marker’s contribution to "growing our company into one of the leading pharmaceutical businesses in the region,” Dr Karl-Ludwig Kley, chairman of the executive board of Merck KgaA wrote in his condolence letter, "The names Merck and Marker have been intertwined and greatly respected in Pakistan for decades… Marker’s genial personality helped to build and maintain the cordial relation that exists between the Mercks and the Markers, both on a business level and personally… Even in his later years when most people have long since retired, he continued to serve as chairman of the board of directors of Merck (Private) Limited and freely shared advice gained through his long years of experience at the company.”
Serving as president of the QPZA for 14 years from 1984-98 he oversaw various projects and welfare activities for the Parsi community. The condolence letter from the Anjuman secretaries Pervez Rana and Cyrus Irani noted how his services to the Anjuman "as member and as president for many years will be gratefully remembered by the Parsi community here.”
A staunch Zoroastrian who always wore his sudreh kusti and lived each day by the tenets of the religion, Marker however maintained, "We have to adapt and adjust to circumstances in order to survive.” Confident of the community’s resilience and goodwill he believed, "We are so small that we can never pose a threat to anyone.” Never would he impose his values or his views on anyone, preferring to adopt the adage "to each his own.”
Individual Parsis who approached him for assistance in the field of education, finance, sport or industry, always found Marker exceedingly helpful. In fact when supporting any cause he ensured, "Merit and honesty are the only two criteria I look for.”
A trustee of The Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust since its inception in 1985 "his wise counsel will be greatly missed,” wrote chairman K. Z. Hassan.
Married in Bombay in 1952, within two years his wife Roshan (née Cooper) developed polio and was confined to a wheel chair until her demise in 1983, recalled their son Ardeshir. "We all remember the courage and devotion both our parents had for each other and looked on them as the perfect role models on how to deal with life, with all its happiness as well as its setbacks and adversities,” added Ardeshir.
An avid reader, Marker’s other hobbies included listening to classical music, travel, sport, and a love for gardening that he had imbibed from his mother Meherbanoo. Art too interested Marker who was vice chairman of the Foundation for Museum of Modern Art. An outstanding sportsman during his Doon School days, he as also his father, elder brother Jamsheed and Ardeshir were particularly fond of cricket. His enjoyment of squash made him promote the game and the careers of promising players in Pakistan.
"He served, rejoiced and grieved for his country,” noted an In Memoriam announcement in Dawn, December 13, 2010 summing up his life: "He harmed no one, helped everyone… He lived his life with nobility, dignity and honor.”
The memorable minister is survived by his brothers Jamsheed and Minocher, daughters Aban Kairas Kabraji and Meher Cyasp Noshirwani, and son Ardeshir.