Karachi: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Karachi Division jointly organized a condolence reference in memory of the renowned political leader Taj Haider at Auditorium of the Arts Council.
The event was attended and addressed by President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmad Shah, President of PPP Karachi and Sindh’s Provincial Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, former Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh and General Secretary of PPP Sindh Syed Waqar Mehdi, Taj Haider’s wife Naheed Wasi, senior journalist Mazhar Abbas, Ghazi Salahuddin, and Sadiqa Salahuddin.
The session began with Saeed Ghani offering prayers (Fatiha) for the martyrs, including Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, and Senator Taj Haider.
Speaking at the reference, former Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani said that Taj Haider never abandoned principled politics, even at personal cost. He stated that Taj Haider upheld what he believed was right for Pakistan and the party with unwavering dedication. Rabbani emphasized that Taj 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 shared. He added, “The PPP survives today because of people like Taj Haider, whose Workers sacrificed their lives but never compromised on principles. If we want to keep the party alive, we must follow Taj Haider’s path.”
On the occasion, Saeed Ghani praised Taj Haider as a distinguished politician, writer, playwright, educator, policy-maker, nationalist, leftist, and Marxist intellectual. He highlighted that Taj Haider held various central and provincial party positions and remained in charge 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.
He added, “Taj Haider’s character was an open book. Even Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, during a visit to Taj Haider’s home after his passing, wondered who could now fulfil the role Taj Haider had in managing the Election Cell.”
Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmad Shah said that Taj Haider’s commitment, as described by Sadiqa Apa and 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 Taj Haider loved poetry recitals and Qawwali sessions and had written and produced several plays. “Benazir Bhutto wanted PPP members to be well-versed in history, knowing how parties are built and strengthened. Taj Haider understood both the power of literature and the
significance of digital media for mobilizing street power in the 21st century,” Shah remarked.
Speaking at the reference, Taj Haider’s wife Naheed Wasi recalled their life together as exceptional. “The love and respect Taj received during his life continued until his passing. After his death, I realized that the PPP was like an extended family,” she said, noting Taj Haider’s ability to win hearts through his character and positivity wherever he went.
Taj Haider’s sister and social activist Sadiqa Salahuddin 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 Taj Haider a dear friend. He said the PPP’s recognition of Taj Haider’s services serves as an inspiration for the youth. “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.”
Ghazi emphasized that passion and interest are crucial in political life, both of which were embodied by Taj Haider.
Syed Waqar Mehdi, recalling his association with Taj Haider since 1987, 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 long-standing ties with Taj Haider’s family, known for its literary and political engagement. “Professor Qarar Sahib 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,” Mazhar Abbas said.
