A leader remembered: Book penned on Mairaj Muhammad Khan launched

Contemporaries, friends speak about the man behind the political veneer

KARACHI: Speakers said a line or two about the notable qualities of politician and activist Mairaj Muhammad Khan at the launch of a book based on his life, which has been written by Rasheed Jamal in Urdu.

The book, which was launched at the Karachi Press Club late Friday evening, shows a different side of Khan, who was more of a civil rights and labour rights activist than a political leader. The book, titled 'Mairaj Muhammad Khan: The last of the leftist has died down', is a compilation of the writer's thoughts, along with a number of essays penned by Khan's peers and contemporaries.

Khan was known as a prominent person who would speak the truth, said Professor Ali Zaidi. "Our association lasted for half a decade. He had strong talents for building bridges and meeting good old friends and peers," he added. "People assert that the last flame has died but I don't think so. He was the one who lit other flames," Zaidi said.

One of Khan's close confidants, Akram Dareeche, remembered him as a trade unionist leader. Dareeche said that Khan was the first ever minister in Pakistan who resigned due to his principles when the Landhi-Korangi mason deaths occurred. "His home was always open to people of all walks of life," he said.

Manzoor Ali, a peer of Khan's, remembered him as not only as a political leader but also as a trade unionist and a strong student leader. "There was not a single jail that he had not visited in his lifetime to fight for the rights of the less fortunate," he added.

Faisal Edhi, son of late philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, recalled the time when Khan and his father met. They both had a lot in common as they both understood the common man's suffering, he said. Recalling old memories, Khan's son, Khaqan Mairaj Khan, said that his father was always surrounded by people, whether he was in jail or at home.

Karachi deputy-mayor Arshad Vohra remembered Khan as a great student leader. "When I first entered the realms of Karachi University way back in 1974, it was either Zulfikar Ali Bhutto or Khan sahib who were held in high esteem for their contribution to politics," he said. According to him, Khan's vision was for a better city and country where poverty could be ended and people live on better economic standings. Vohra pledged to rename the Jail Road after Khan as Mairaj Muhammad Khan Road.

Barrister Sibgatullah Qadri spoke the qualities that separated Khan from other political leaders and activists of the world. "He was a great debater, a socialist at heart and a man who believed in the words of 'Roti Kapra Aur Makaan' [food, clothing and housing]," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2016.