ISLAMABAD: Former federal law minister and co-chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Iqbal Haider passed away on Sunday in Karachi.
The deceased was suffering from lung disease and breathed his last at a hospital in Karachi and his funeral prayers would be offered on November 12 at the Masjid-i-Yasrab Imambargah Defence-IV.
The 67-year-old had also served as attorney general and was affiliated with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
He was also the co-chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and had resigned from the basic membership of PPP in March 2005, citing his unanimous election as Secretary-General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
He had received his law degree from Punjab University.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelt Masjid-i-Yasrab as Masjid-i-Tasrab. The error has been corrected.
COMMENTS (35)
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Great man, a champion of human rights. A great loss for Pakistan, specially for Sindh. He was friend of all weak and helpless people. He always highlighted the nefarious role of one known violent political party based in Karachi Sindh. People of Sindh will always remember him for his golden service.
We lost yet another man of conviction and principles, Although not with us anyone, but his legacy lives on...
Any positive contribution? There were many minister and all of them head some committee
In the end he was neither a politician nor was he associated with PPP. Instead Iqbal 'Groovy' Haider was a brave, principled and outspoken man who stood for the downtrodden and the disempowered. His memory should be honoured by all those who believe in goodness, truth and justice. May God take care of his valiant soul.
RIP.
It really saddens me to learn that one more positive citizen is no more amongst us.
Very saddened by this untimely death. He could have easily given another 25 years if God had willed it. This is a huge loss for Pakistan. May Allah give the family strength to cope with this untimely loss.
Pakistan has lost a nice person. He worked his whole life for democracy and human rights. I had the pleasure to work with him during MRD struggle in 1980s against dictator Zia' military regime. We came across many adventures during our political struggle, sometimes we differed on some issues. But it was always a pleasure to be in comradeship with him. Our mutual respect grew with the time as we knew each other more. May Almighty Alllah grant him the choicest place in the life hereafter. He would be remembered for long. RIP Grovy Iqbal.
@onlooker: Surprisingly Onlooker, you dont look much! Yesterday only Fauzia Wahab was paid tributes at a book launch for her and what an event it was!
Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Illaihe Rajioun
@onlooker: so true......!!!
honest indeed......... RIP
@onlooker Fauzia Wahab was honored with Hilal-e-Imtiaz. What else do you demand?
She was honored with Hilal-e-Imtiaz. What else do you want?
A very through gentleman with whom I met him number of time and I always found him courteous, polite, honest and at the same time he treat every one equally.
I will give the credit to his parents who have raised him to act as a most humble person with others.
May his soul rest in peace. People of Pakistan will always miss Iqbal Haider at every session where his input will be needed in future events.
May his soul rest in peace . Was an undaunted torch-bearer of human values , in a society wherein their suppression is sanctified in the name of patriotism and piety , was an upholder of reason and rationality in a society wracked by blind passions and prejudices he spoke truth in an era when truth is equated with treason and blasphemy.
You were our voice , our mentor , Haider Sahib , and we will always miss you .
May his soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen
Always amazed how such an open man exist in PPP. R.I.P
He belonged to rare breed of politicians who stood up for some principles and refused to succumb to temptations of power politics and be part of a party, which he was once an active member, because he considered them corrupt. A man who had the courage to live in Karachi and continue criticism of an ethnic party notorious for use of violence, murder, extortion andhuman rights violations.He was perhaps the few liberals in the positive sense, who were committed to democracy, freedom of expression and freedom of choice. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Senator Syed Iqbal Haider was a good man, may Allah bless him with the His choicest blessings and grant him a nice and peaceful place in the heavens among people with who Iqbal Sahib would wish to be. Good comrade he was, Syed Iqbal Haider.
Inna lillai was inna ile I Rajioon !!! An honest and principled political worker, who was among the very few politicians of his time who had the moral courage to criticize his own party leaders fearlessly. It is really sad that people like him, who dreamed of a progressive, peaceful, just society could not live to see the day.
You will be remembered for long for your committment to politics and human rights issues. I specially liked Haider Sahibs decent accent. RIP.
A gem on the rubble of politicians .
RIP!! God bless you... one of the few finest personalities and upright leader we can ever boast of!!!
An upright man and a man of principles. Rest in peace Iqbal Haider sahib,I cannot imagine you are no more.
An upright man and a man of principles. Rest in peace Iqbal Haider sahib, I cannot imagine you are no more
" Kaun Kehta Hai Keh Maut Aai To Mar Jaoon Ga Main to Qatra Hon Samandar Main Utar Jaoon Ga".
Rest In Peace. You are in a better place!
RIP Iqbal Haider. One of the finest minds of Pakistan.
Surely we belong to God and to Him shall we return'."
One of the few good men left and now he too has gone.
Good man, committed leader. R.I.P
He was one of the few honest leaders! RIP.
R.I.P. PPP is known to be forgetful of its deceased leaders if they die naturally rather than being martyred. recent example fauzia wahab..!
Its not tasrab, its yasrab imambargah.