Omar Asghar Khan (3 July 1953 – 25 June 2002) was a Pakistani economist, social, political scientist. A professor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the Quaid-i-Azam University, he was the founder of Qaumi Jamhoori Party (National Democratic Party).
Early life
Omar excelled in sports in these institutions; "In his school days he was well-known for his exceptional sporting talents. He captained the school's swimming & hockey."[1]
Political activism
According to Professor Pervez Hoodbhoy:
He, (Omar) and the organization he founded, Sungi, stood up resolutely to hostile maulvis opposed to education of girls and against the timber mafia in Hazara. As a member of Pervez Musharraf's cabinet, he was a voice for the poor and disenfranchised. Omar's achievements were extraordinary in a society so hostile to change and forward movement. He succeeded far better than most, with his unique mix of idealism and pragmatism. Many of us have our own reasons for being grateful to Omar. He was an open, caring, and courteous person who I had never seen being rude to anyone. I am deeply grateful to Omar that he encouraged me to speak and write about General Zia's fraudulent Islamic science at the peak of that repressive dictatorship.[2]
Work as Federal Minister under General Musharraf's interim government
His works benefited him when Omar joined General Pervaz Musharraf's cabinet as Federal Minister for Environment, Local Government & Rural Development, Labor, Manpower, and Overseas Pakistanis after a bloodless coup in October 1999. According to some circles,[who?] the local body's plan[which?] was the brainchild of Omar Asghar Khan, who as minister, did the spadework.[citation needed] In his earlier days, he was close to labour leaders and organisations. His policies in the environmental field contributed to protecting the environment.[citation needed]
In December 2001, he resigned from the cabinet and launched a new political party, the Qaumi Jamhoori Party, to contest the general elections, but he died on 25 June 2002, before the elections.[3]
Death
Omar murdered at the age of 48, (just a week before his 49th birthday). He was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his in-laws' residence in Karachi.[4] Khan's family continues to insist he was murdered by Pakistan ISI, though the authorities still label his death as "not determined".[5]
References
External links
- Sungi Home Page
- Battling Against the Power Elite – Omar Asghar Khan, Green Pioneers, un.org.pk
- Profile, Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation, www.oakdf.org.pk
- Memoriam, Newsline, July 2002, www.newsline.com.pk
- Omar Asghar Khan, the man with a vision, Dawn.com, 26 June 2002
- Kashmir in conflict: India, Pakistan and the unending war, Victoria Schofield, books.google.com
- A twist to the Gilgit Rebellion, 16 February 2006, osmaniac.blogspot.com
