Omar Asghar Khan
Encyclopedia
Omar Asghar Khan 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).
(retd) Mohammad Asghar Khan, Omar belonged to an Afridi (Pashtun)(Malikdinkhail tribe) family from Tirah Khyber Agency
which settled in Kashmir
, and then after partition, in Abbottabad
, Pakistan
. Omar started his education from Peshawer Middle School, continuing in Habib Public School, Karachi, when his father retired from the PAF (Pakistan Air Force
) and became Chairperson of PIA (Pakistan International Airlines
). His schooling completed in APS (Abbottabad Public School
) where he did his FSC. 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." Omar had a lively sense of humor and kind, gentle temperament.
in 1971 and left it at the rank of a captain in 1973 because of the military action in Baluchistan by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
. He then gained a Bachelors Degree in Economics
from the University of Essex
, and a M.Phil. in Economics from the University of Cambridge
, before returning to Pakistan in 1979. From 1980-83 he taught economics at the University of the Punjab
in Lahore
. According to Sungi, Omar's popular efforts to promote progressive political thought among students instigated a physical attack on him by the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba
. In 1983, General Zia-ul-Haq's repressive regime ordered Omar's dismissal from the Punjab University.
’s political party, the Tehreek-I-Istiqlal. In 1988 and 1990 he lost the national elections. Omar established/conceptualized many social organizations in the country:
According to Professor Pervez Hoodbhoy
:
Among the major tasks he carried out as the head of Sungi was the fight for the settlement of the affected people of Tarbela Dam. He did a commendable job to stop deforestation in the Hazara division, (hence making an enemy of the timber mafia), and prepared different studies for the most deprived sections of the society, especially women, labourers and farmers.
The target areas of Sungi in the Hazara division were Haripur, Balakot
, Kaghan
and other far-flung areas, where, on a partnership basis, it developed a chain of small NGOs working in different villages of Hazara. Sungi was awarded the 1996 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific Award for its exemplary work in the field of human resource development.
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.
He is survived by a widow and three children. Omar's widow, Samina, now heads Sungi, where she helped set up the crafts program while Omar was still alive. His eldest child, Yasmeen, works in the media. She is followed by Abdullah, who is studying architecture. The youngest son, Mustafa, is at Cambridge University. Air Marshal Asghar Khan remains the head of their family, and his and Begum Amina Asghar Khan's home in Islamabad remains the home of Omar's widow and children.
Omar often recited the touching poetry of Faiz Ahmad Faiz's "Hum Dekhain Gay", and this became a regular feature of his political "jalsas" and meetings.
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
, social, political scientist
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. A professor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
at the Quaid-i-Azam University
Quaid-i-Azam University
The Quaid-i-Azam University is a public, research university in Islamabad Capital Territory of Pakistan. It was initially founded as the "University of Islamabad" in July 1967...
, he was the founder of Qaumi Jamhoori Party (National Democratic Party).
Early life
The son of Amina Shamsi (paternal aunt of writer Kamila Shamsi) and Air MarshalAir Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
(retd) Mohammad Asghar Khan, Omar belonged to an Afridi (Pashtun)(Malikdinkhail tribe) family from Tirah Khyber Agency
Khyber agency
Khyber is a tribal area in the FATA region of Pakistan. It is one of the eight tribal areas, better known as agencies in Pakistan. It ranges from the Tirah valley down to Peshawar...
which settled in Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
, and then after partition, in Abbottabad
Abbottabad
Abbottabad is a city located in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Pakistan. The city is situated in the Orash Valley, northeast of the capital Islamabad and east of Peshawar at an altitude of and is the capital of the Abbottabad District...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Omar started his education from Peshawer Middle School, continuing in Habib Public School, Karachi, when his father retired from the PAF (Pakistan Air Force
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
) and became Chairperson of PIA (Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation commonly known as PIA, is the flag carrier airline of Pakistan. The airline has its head office on the grounds of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. and operates scheduled services to 24 domestic destinations and 38 international destinations in 27...
). His schooling completed in APS (Abbottabad Public School
Abbottabad Public School
Abbottabad Public School, or APS or Railway Public School, is a public, all boys, boarding school for 7th to 12th grade students, located in Abbottabad, Pakistan...
) where he did his FSC. 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." Omar had a lively sense of humor and kind, gentle temperament.
Education, Career in Academia and Pakistan Army
Omar joined the Pakistan ArmyPakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
in 1971 and left it at the rank of a captain in 1973 because of the military action in Baluchistan by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
. He then gained a Bachelors Degree in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from the University of Essex
University of Essex
The University of Essex is a British campus university whose original and largest campus is near the town of Colchester, England. Established in 1963 and receiving its Royal Charter in 1965...
, and a M.Phil. in Economics from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, before returning to Pakistan in 1979. From 1980-83 he taught economics at the University of the Punjab
University of the Punjab
University of the Punjab , colloquially known as Punjab University, is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The University of the Punjab is the oldest and biggest University of Pakistan. The University of the Punjab was formally established with the convening of the first meeting of its...
in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. According to Sungi, Omar's popular efforts to promote progressive political thought among students instigated a physical attack on him by the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba
Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba
Islami Jamiat Talaba is the male wing of an organization of students influenced mainly by the works of Late Syed Abul-Ala Maodudi. Its mission is to preach Islam to students of modern institutions throughout Pakistan. It has been attempting to increase the Islamic ideals of decency and glorifying...
. In 1983, General Zia-ul-Haq's repressive regime ordered Omar's dismissal from the Punjab University.
Political Activism
After his dismissal from the university, Omar joined his father, retired Air Marshal Asghar KhanAsghar Khan
Air Marshal Asghar Khan is a Pakistani 3-star rank general and politician who was the first native Air Force Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Air Force. A politician and world war II veteran fighter pilot, at the age of 36, he served as the youngest and first Pakistani head of the Pakistan Air Force...
’s political party, the Tehreek-I-Istiqlal. In 1988 and 1990 he lost the national elections. Omar established/conceptualized many social organizations in the country:
- In 1982 he established the Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and Research.
- In 1987 he established SEBCON: Socio-Economic and Business Consultants.
- In 1989 he established the NGO: Sungi Development Foundation.
- In 1998 he conceptualized and initiated the People’s Assemblies Process.
According to Professor Pervez Hoodbhoy
Pervez Hoodbhoy
Dr. Prof. Pervez Amirali Hoodbhoy , is a Pakistani nuclear physicist, essayist and political-defence analyst. He is the professor of nuclear and high-energy physics, and the head of the Physics Department at the Quaid-e-Azam University . He graduated and also received PhD from MIT and continues to...
:
Among the major tasks he carried out as the head of Sungi was the fight for the settlement of the affected people of Tarbela Dam. He did a commendable job to stop deforestation in the Hazara division, (hence making an enemy of the timber mafia), and prepared different studies for the most deprived sections of the society, especially women, labourers and farmers.
The target areas of Sungi in the Hazara division were Haripur, Balakot
Balakot
Balakot , is a town in Mansehra District in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The town was destroyed during the 2005 earthquake and later rebuilt with the assistance of the Government of Pakistan and Saudi Public Assistance for Pakistan Earthquake Victims , a Saudi relief organization...
, Kaghan
Kaghan
Kaghan is a small town and union council of the Balakot Tehsil, in Mansehra District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It has a reputation as a place of great natural beauty....
and other far-flung areas, where, on a partnership basis, it developed a chain of small NGOs working in different villages of Hazara. Sungi was awarded the 1996 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific Award for its exemplary work in the field of human resource development.
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, the local body's plan was the brainchild of Omar Asghar Khan, who as minister, did the spadework. In his earlier days, he was very close to labour leaders and organizations. His policies in the environmental field went a long way in protecting the environment.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.
Death
Omar's death at the age of 48, (just a week before his 49th birthday), caused severe shock and devastation amongst his supporters. He was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his in-laws' residence in Karachi. Khan's family continues to insist he was murdered, though the authorities still label his death a "suicide". His body was flown from Karachi to Islamabad, and then taken to Abbottabad, where he was buried at his family graveyard. His funeral in Abbottabad witnessed an unprecedented number of attendees for that town. It was thronged not just by his large family, countless friends, NGO workers, and political leaders, but also by millions of adoring men and women from poor villages scattered all over the North West Frontier Province, particularly in the Hazara region where Omar had done a lot of development work.He is survived by a widow and three children. Omar's widow, Samina, now heads Sungi, where she helped set up the crafts program while Omar was still alive. His eldest child, Yasmeen, works in the media. She is followed by Abdullah, who is studying architecture. The youngest son, Mustafa, is at Cambridge University. Air Marshal Asghar Khan remains the head of their family, and his and Begum Amina Asghar Khan's home in Islamabad remains the home of Omar's widow and children.
Omar often recited the touching poetry of Faiz Ahmad Faiz's "Hum Dekhain Gay", and this became a regular feature of his political "jalsas" and meetings.
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