Man behind Hazara province movement, Baba Haider Zaman passes away at 84

Renowned leader dies after suffering from health complications in Rawalpindi

PESHAWAR: Renowned political figure from the Hazara Province Movement, Haider Zaman Khan died at the age of 84 at Quaid International Hospital, Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Popularly known as Baba Haider Zaman, the politician passed away after suffering from liver complications and other medical conditions developed over that last many years.

Khan was born in the Dewan Manal village of Havelian District in 1934, in an average household. He was the only child of his parents.

The title 'Baba' was awarded to him after praise by his followers.

Political struggle

Baba's political involvement began after intermediate exams while protesting against the dictatorship of former president Ayub Khan.

He participated in social activities and raised voice against injustices in the 1960s.

Zaman was once elected as chairman of Abbottabad, Haripur and Havelian when the three areas were one district under basic democratic system in former dictator General Ziaul Haq's government.

During the era of former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, he was elected as Nazim of Abbotabad from 2005 to 2009.

According to the former district Nazim of Abbottabad, Sardar Sher Bahadur, Baba never availed salary perks or other privileges based on his position.

Later on, he was also elected as head of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD) for Hazara division in 1981. Bahadur maintained that he was jailed and suffered physical torture.

When former Pakistan Peoples Party chief minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao formed provincial government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in 1988, Zaman was notified as provincial minister for manpower and overseas Pakistanis.

He spent the last four years of his life in a house gifted by Sardar Sher Bahadur at Abbotabad Heights, a hilly township in the district.

The departed only leaves his wife behind. He had no son or daughter.

He reached political helm during 2013- to 2018, when PPP had formed the government at Centre and ANP was ruling the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, formerly known as NWFP. His Tehreek-e-Sooba Hazara (Hazara Province Movement) gained momentum for the formation of Hindko speaking districts as a separate province during this period.

As the ANP leaders proposed legislation to rename the province, he was among the leading figure in the division who stood like rock to the amendment and termed it unconstitutional.

During the struggle, six people lost their lives and several injured, but soon the struggle diminished after several of his supporters left him fighting alone.