Omar Asghar Khan

Symbolic of life itself, breathes no more!

Columnist Ms Sara Khan

More recently recognised by people at large, as the new, vibrant and enterprising federal minister for local bodies, Omar Asghar Khan had a rare potential for social-political commitment that  came our way to set a direction against strife and deprivation. Unfortunately for Pakistan, the status-quo made it rebound into the throngs of political inertia and bureaucratic indifference

A formidable force for over a decade in Northern Pakistan, for social equilibrium and development through his NGO ‘Sungi’; this lone crusader for labour rights was unfortunately unsuccessful in making the system recognise the developmental share due to labour, and resigned from the Federal Cabinet.

At a time when the ball was set rolling for the achievement of sustained development and democracy, this gifted son of the soil had just put his right foot forward; by forming the Qaumi Jamhoori Party. As fate would have it, he could not steer it to a fruitful position in national politics and governance in his lifetime.