‘As extremism rose, so did Iqbal Haider’s passion to defeat it'

Former HRCP chief fought for equal rights of people, including minorities and women.

KARACHI: Members of the Forum for Secular Pakistan gathered at the PMA House again on Monday, but not to condemn the rising extremism in the country. Instead, they gathered to pay homage to their former chief and renowned human rights activist, Iqbal Haider, who had passed away on November 11.

Haider had been a founding member of the country’s well known rights watch, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), and had later served as its co-chairman as well. Born in Agra, India, in 1945, Haider received his law degree from Punjab University and went to Lincoln’s Inn in England for further studies. During Gen Ziaul Haq’s rule, he associated himself with the Movement for Restoration of Democracy. He then became information adviser to Sindh chief minister during Benazir Bhutto’s first tenure, and a senator in her second. He also served as the federal law minister and attorney general of Pakistan. He resigned from the Pakistan Peoples Party in 2005 to devote his time to rights issues in the country.



HRCP’s Asad Iqbal Butt said that Haider had never wavered from his principles, and had often criticised the media for not “painting the real picture” to the people. “He was a very caring person and never wanted to trouble anyone.”

Yusuf Masti Khan, leader of the recently launched leftist Awami Workers Party, said that as extremism and intolerance rose in the country, so did Haider’s passion to defeat it. Khan also stressed on the need to separate religion from the affairs of the state, and called for the constitution to be amended. Religious parties also need to understand the true meaning of the word secular, he added.

Muqtadda Mansoor recalled the time he was present at a similar gathering earlier this month and listening to Haider speak against extremism. “It seems unreal that he is not here today.” The HRCP leader worked for equal rights for all citizens, including minorities, women and children. He said that then Senator Haider had presented a piece of legislation against honour killing after a girl was allegedly murdered outside the office of another rights activist, Hina Jillani, for reportedly marrying of freewill. The resolution never passed, as only three lawmakers supported it, added Mansoor. Former superintendent Civil hospital Dr Tipu Sultan summed up Haider’s principle characteristics in front of the audience. “He was a great lawyer, and completed his education from England. He was a very down to earth and humble person. His honesty and dedication towards his work would always be remembered.”

MNA Kishwar Zehra, who reportedly grew up in the same neighborhood as Haider, said that children would lovingly call him “judge”. He was a quiet child, but became very vocal about injustices when he grew up, she added.

Haider’s son and daughter were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2012.