Rich tributes were paid to renowned scholar and human rights activist Sheikh Asad Rahman in a special reference organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Thursday in Islamabad. The programme was presided over by renowned poet and social activist Harris Khalique.

At a condolence reference held in Islamabad on Thursday, Rahman’s friends, colleagues and family members paid rich tributes to his lifelong devotion to the cause of uplifting marginalised and deprived segments of society.

Aimal Khan of Care International; moderated the proceedings and maintained that Asad Rahman’s sudden sad demise is a great loss not only for his family but also for the oppressed people for whom he struggled throughout his life.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Asad Rahman’s wife Tanveer rahman and son Mehmood Rahman said that the sole cause in Asad’s life was to struggle for the rights of oppressed people that he achieved through his continuous struggle till death.

They remembered him as a loving and caring person who regardless of his busy schedule, always used to take out time for the family.

Paying tribute, the renowned social activist Tahira Abdullah called him the ‘symbol of continuous struggle’ who despite being the son of a Chief Justice went to the far flung areas in Balochistan and fought for civil justice, equality and legitimate rights of oppressed people.

Poet and social activist Harris Khalique said that Asad wilfully choose to side with truth against all odds till his death, adding that unfortunately society is unable to produce people of such character, which is a great loss.

Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, Deputy Executive Director of Sungi shared Asad’s commitment and passion for work and his cause that despite being seriously ill due to a heart attack, he continued to work. He suggested carrying forward his mission as the best way of presenting tribute to him.

Dr. Abid Suleri, Executive Director SDPI talked of various occasions where Asad helped him, especially in research work on Balochistan, where Asad not only provided the background information but also helped in a clear understanding of the issues on the ground.

Dr. Abid reaffirmed his resolve to fulfil Asad’s dream of civil liberties and a democratic society.

He also shared the condolence message of Dr Nadeem ul Haq, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, who was unable to attend the reference due to his international travel.

It is pertinent to mention here that Asad Rahman, the youngest of a group of Marxists, joined the Baloch guerrilla struggle in the 1970s.

Sheikh Asad Rahman breathed his last in an Islamabad hospital on the night of Monday, October 29.
He developed a severe heart condition about two weeks earlier and struggled on a ventilator before his body systems finally failed him