A progressive man

Mairaj Muhammad Khan has left a legacy of principled, progressive struggle. He became prominent in 1968 against the Ayub regime as a student leader and then he played a critical role in the formation of the PPP. Later his role in the MRD against the Zia dictatorship was amongst the most prominent ones. His last decades were spent in political disillusionment. He became a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf before leaving it in 2003 over political differences. He struggled for democracy and the rights of workers throughout his political life.

His disagreement with his close friend, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, started once the PPP turned the power of the police on striking workers in Karachi in 1972. He resigned from his position as labour minister and became one of the first close aides of Bhutto to be jailed. Mairaj’s suffering at the hands of authorities was only starting. Over his life, he spent over 13 years in jail for resisting military dictatorships and heavy-handed state rule. He suffered various injuries after numerous beatings and torture. In the face of innumerable suffering, Mairaj remained committed to his ideals and refused to compromise to those in power. In his death, we have lost a man who was committed to democracy, the working class and oppressed nationalities. His life is a lesson to those who still desire a more progressive Pakistan.

Hashim Khan

Lahore