A mathematician and scientist by profession, Haider provided a vital leadership in the formative years of clandestine atomic bomb projects in the 1970s. He is also noted for his writing of political plays for the Pakistan Television (PTV) from 1979 to 1985.[2]
In 1965, he earned his MSc in mathematics from the same institution and opted for teaching mathematics at the local college, later moving to Karachi University. During his career at the Karachi University, Haider primarily taught and focused on the ordinary differential equations and topics in multivariable calculus.[3]
PPP and political activism
During the attendance of 1967 socialist convention, Haider was one of the founding members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and committed himself as a vehement supporter of change by left-oriented philosophy of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.[2] In the 1970s, he played a vital role in formulating the public policy concerning the atomic bomb projects.[4]
On multiple occasions, he provided his expertise on taking moral stance on nuclear weapons initiatives at the diplomatic conventions.[5] On nuclear weapons development, Haider stated that "there was a need to aggressively project the peaceful intent of Pakistan's atomic bomb program."[6]
Haider disassociated himself with the politics but remained member of Pakistan Mathematical Society and shifted towards writing political dramas at the Pakistan Television (PTV) in 1979.[2] The PTV aired various political dramas written by Haider until 1985 when he renewed his association with PPP.[2] In 1990–2000, he contributed in PPP-initiated industrial projects such as the establishment of Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC), Hub Dam and various other social programmes. He was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 1995.[4][3]
Ultimately, he called for a parliamentary inquiry over on that issues, and questioned about the involvement of President General Pervez Musharraf in the proliferation case.[7] In 2006, Haider was awarded PTV Awards for Best Playwright Serial award, which he received in a televised ceremony.[8]
Writing and philosophy
Haider extensively writes on nuclear policy issues, left-wing ideas, literary and political philosophy. His recent writings have included the support of social democracy in the country and power of balance in each state institutions.[9] On literary and political circles, he has written critic articles against the military dictatorship, specifically policies enforced by the conservative President General Zia-ul-Haq throughout the 1980s.[10]
Taj Haider opposed the ethnically based politics of the leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement or MQM, Altaf Hussain based in Karachi by reportedly stating on one occasion, "We were not Mohajirs but Urdu-speaking citizens of this province and this country. Our mother-tongue was the official and national language of Pakistan and it would be wrong and degrading to consider ourselves as lesser citizens or Mohajirs".[1]
^ abcd"Taj Haider profile". Daily Pakistan (newspaper). 1 September 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
^ abKhan, Feroz Hassan (2012). "§15:The Dawn of a Nuclear Power". Eating Grass : The Making of the Pakistan Atom Bomb. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. ISBN978-0804776011.
^Khan, Feroz Hassan (2012). "§4:Never Again". Eating Grass : The Making of the Pakistan Atom Bomb. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. ISBN978-0804776011.
