Veteran guitarist Adnan Afaq critically ill

Musician is battling stage IV stomach cancer

In the heart of Pakistan’s music scene, guitarist, guru and pioneer Adnan Afaq is battling stage IV stomach cancer, which has left him hospitalized. Known for his exceptional guitar playing and contribution to music education, Adnan is battling the disease at SIUT in Karachi, with doctors expressing uncertainty about the possibility of treatment.

Known affectionately as Adnan Vai (a reference to guitar legend Steve Vai), Adnan also heads the music department at the Arts Council of Pakistan. His bandmate and buddy at the ACP, Arman Rahim, shared with The Express Tribune, “For six months now, Adnan had this uncontrollable pain in his stomach that he couldn’t explain. Over a month ago, he vomited while having food. That’s when he got a CT scan done and his cancer was diagnosed. His family shifted him to SIUT and his biopsy revealed that it was on its last stage.”

Rahim, the lead vocalist of ACMA, added, “He can’t eat. He talks and is conscious but because he can’t eat, he often gets dizzy. The situation is such that doctors are saying he can’t be treated. He’ll just keep getting his nutrition and vitamins through a drip.”

More recently, Sounds of Kolachi frontman Ahsan Bari shared a detailed Facebook Status dedicated to Adnan’s role in shaping Pakistan’s music industry. Rahim, while emphasizing his importance in the local circuit and praying for his betterment, added, “Adnan has always been focused on the academics of music. He is a professor. However many guitarists you find here, they will have been a student of Adnan at some point. But Adnan himself has never ventured into the mainstream.”

Rahim, like Bari and most musicians, acknowledges the importance of having maestros as academicians and not just “mainstream showpieces”. In fact, many in the music industry praise Adnan for his ability to hone artists like none other without falling prey to competition.

Adnan’s journey dates back to the late 1980s with his first band, Powerhouse, known for their remarkable Pink Floyd covers. He later contributed to the glam rock band Arsh and the alternative rock band Circle, earning critical acclaim for the album Tehzeeb released in 1997.

Adnan’s dedication to music education is as noteworthy as his contributions to live performances and recordings. Having studied jazz and modern fusion in the United Kingdom, he achieved mastery in his instrument, making him a sought-after session player for top Pakistani artists such as Sajjad Ali and Fakhr-e-Alam. Adnan’s academic journey includes teaching at NAPA (National Academy of Performing Arts) and creating a comprehensive curriculum for a music course.

In 2018, Adnan joined the Arts Council as the head of the music department, where he formulated the music curriculum. He also spearheaded the creation of a diploma programme, bringing together Eastern and Western musicians and teachers. His band, ACMA *Arts Council Music Academy), has released numerous originals and performed across Pakistan, contributing to the vibrancy of the local music scene.