Family Mourns Father of Five Killed in Abu Dhabi Strike

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PAKISTAN: The family of Murib Zaman Nizar is mourning the loss of a devoted father and the primary provider for three households after he was killed by missile debris in Abu Dhabi on February 28. A 44-year-old from Bannu in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, Nizar had spent years working as a driver in the UAE capital to secure a better future for his five young children. He was inside a residence when debris fell during the initial wave of a massive aerial assault launched by Iran. Nizar was one of six civilians killed in the strikes, a group that included nationals from the UAE, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Nizar’s life was defined by selflessness and a relentless work ethic. Following the death of his younger brother two years ago, he stepped in without hesitation to support his brother’s widow and children alongside his own family. His nephew, Dr. Shahzeb Khan, recalled that Nizar looked after three separate families, often taking on personal debt to help friends in need while never letting the stress show. "He had a big heart," his nephew shared. "He was always smiling."

In the days leading up to his death, Nizar’s conversations remained focused on the milestones he hoped to achieve for his loved ones. He was saving every penny to build a permanent home in Bannu and harbored a deep wish to take his elderly parents on the Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah. In a final act of fatherly care, he had sent money home just days before the tragedy so his children, ranging in age from four to twelve, could buy new clothes for the upcoming Eid celebrations. He died before he could see the photos of them wearing those gifts.

The tragedy has left the community in Bannu shattered, as they remember a man who worked a thousand miles away just to give his children opportunities he never had. Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed the nation’s grief, describing Nizar as a "dedicated and hardworking" individual whose life was cut short by the ongoing conflict.
Since the start of the escalation, the UAE Ministry of Defence has reported the detection of 262 ballistic missiles, 8 cruise missiles, and 1,475 drones. While the majority were intercepted, the debris from these engagements has resulted in six fatalities and 131 injuries across the country.

As the UAE officially condemns the "brutal and unprovoked" assault on civilian infrastructure, Nizar’s five children are left to face a future without the father who lived entirely for their dreams.