Remembering a hero: Glowing tributes paid to Idrees Kamal

Deceased peace activist hailed as a paragon of human rights.

PESHAWAR: Senior politicians, peace activists and people belonging to different spheres of life on Friday paid glowing tributes to renowned peace and human rights activist Idrees Kamal.

In a condolence reference organised jointly by AMN Tehreek, Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network and Pakhtun Awareness Movement at the Peshawar Press Club, participants praised Idrees Kamal for his relentless efforts to achieve peace and defend human rights in the country.

Kamal, who died of a brain haemorrhage on June 10, was convener of AMN Tehrik of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal areas, extensively working for conflict resolution in the region.



“He was one of the most progressive activists and voice for peace,” said National Party (NP) central president Hasil Bizenjo while recounting his memories of Kamal. “In a very short span of time, he became a symbol of peace and never missed a chance to participate in movements aimed at bringing peace and defending human rights,” he said, adding: “All political forces which condemn terrorism and use of violence should unite to achieve stability in the region.”

Awami National Party (ANP) stalwart and former information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain also spoke on the occasion. He described Kamal as one of the bravest peace activists who never deviated from his path of preaching peace and non-violence, despite repeated threats to his life from extremists.

“Despite severe opposition from the Taliban, he never hesitated to condemn terrorism and extremism in all its forms,” said Hussain while acknowledging Kamal’s effort for establishing the Mian Rashid Hussain Shaheed Foundation. The foundation is named after Mian Iftikhar’s son, who was assassinated by the Taliban; it works towards the social welfare of marginalised segments of society.



Those who participated in the condolence reference and hailed Kamal’s services included former provincial elementary education minister Sardar Hussain Babak, Fahad Kamal, Mukhtar Bacha, Dr Amjid Ishaq Baloch, Abdul Latif and PPC President Nasir Hussain.

Asking the government to name ‘Amn Park’ after the deceased peace activist as acknowledgment of his services, participants said Idrees Kamal will always be remembered in golden words.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2013.