Taj Haider eulogised for ideological commitment, political struggle, literary services

The Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) and the Karachi Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Monday jointly conducted a condolence reference in memory of renowned political leader Senator Taj Haider at the auditorium of the ACP.

The session began with Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani offering prayers (Fateha) for the martyrs, including Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. Speaking at the reference, former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani said Haider had never abandoned principled politics, even when he had to pay a personal cost. He stated that Haider upheld what he believed was right for Pakistan and his party with unwavering dedication.

Rabbani emphasised that Haider devoted his life and politics to the struggle for sovereignty within the country. "I spent time with Taj Haider in prison, in the Senate, within the party, and in the election cell. I always learned from him and tried to live by his example," Rabbani said.

He added, "The PPP survives today because of people like Taj Haider who sacrificed their lives but never compromised on principles. If we want to keep the party alive, we must follow Taj Haider’s path."

Ghani, who is also the Karachi PPP president, praised Haider as a distinguished politician, writer, playwright, educator, policy-maker, nationalist, and leftist and Marxist intellectual. He highlighted that Haider held various central and provincial party positions and remained incharge of the PPP’s central election cell till the end.

"Taj Haider’s contributions to the PPP are unparalleled — a leader like him is rare not only in PPP but in any political party," Ghani said, adding that Haider’s character was like an open book. “Even [PPP] Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, during the visit to Taj Haider’s home after his passing, wondered who could now fulfil the role Taj Haider had in managing the Election Cell."

ACP President Muhammad Ahmad Shah said Haider’s commitment, as described by his sister Sadiqa Salauddin and wife Naheed Wasi, was commendable. "Taj Bhai was a leftist who dreamed of a positive future for all humanity. He believed in equality across races, religions and languages. As one of the founding members of the PPP, he was deeply spiritual, having a strong bond with figures like Hazrat Ali and Imam Hussain," Shah noted.

He further said that Haider loved poetry recitals and Qawwali sessions and had written and produced several plays. “Taj Haider understood both the power of literature and the significance of digital media for mobilising street power in the 21st century," the ACP president remarked.

Haider’s wife Naheed said their life together was exceptional. "The love and respect Taj received during his life continued until his passing. After his death, I realised that the PPP was like an extended family," she said, noting that Haider had the ability to win hearts through his character and positivity wherever he went.

Haider’s sister Sadiqa said they were celebrating a life lived on one’s own terms. "Taj Bhai completed his matriculation and master's degree very young. Despite pressures to leave Pakistan, his patriotism kept him here," she said. "Living a life like Taj Haider’s is challenging because of his immense simplicity and self-control, with no contradiction between his words and actions."

She added that his funeral brought together people from diverse backgrounds, reflecting how Taj Haider was a unique politician. Veteran journalist Ghazi Salahuddin called Haider as a dear friend. “Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto used to exchange letters with Taj Haider, discussing ideas," he recalled. "If you want to change the world, politics is the only path.”

PPP leader Syed Waqar Mehdi recalled his association with Haider since 1987 and said he regarded him as a mentor. "Taj Haider was a simple man who never promoted himself but always worked for the party’s recognition," he said. "He made tremendous efforts to maintain unity among friends. He truly was the crown jewel among the PPP workers."

Renowned journalist Mazhar Abbas said he had longstanding ties with Haider’s family, known for its literary and political engagement. "Professor Karar Sahib [Haider's father] was perhaps the most politically inclined person, and seeing Taj Haider in that family reflects a strong leftist tradition," he noted. Abbas lamented that the PPP had not documented its history properly.

"When we talk about PPP, we often mention Lyari and Malir, but the toughest unit was once in Nazimabad, where the party made huge sacrifices," Abbas said. "Taj Haider and people like him remained loyal to their ideology regardless of whether the party was in power or opposition. If you drift away from ideology, the party cannot survive."

He concluded by stressing that every political worker should have literary knowledge, read different authors, and understand diverse ideas. "Taj Haider was a strong man, and the party needs more people like him," Abbas said.