Unsung hero

Progressive ideology ran in the blood of Islam ul Haq who was an

asset for left liberal politics
May10, 2015
Political parties owe a lot to their workers and, in the absence of vibrant
political workers, they tend to become clubs. Politics in Pakistan is in disarray
because political worker is an endangered species these days. Other factors of
course being money and the inclusion of apolitical elements in politics that
began in the 1980s, owing to the extremist policies of the ‘agents of change’.
Islam ul Haq, born on January 9, 1954 in Sahiwal, was a vibrant political asset
for the left liberal forces in Pakistan. According to Professor Ijaz ul Hassan, his
mentor, the 17-year-old Islam was present in the November 1967 political
meeting at Lahore where Zulfikar Ali Bhutto founded his new party. From
that day until his death, he remained with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP),
never losing his commitment regarding the left liberal agenda. Like many PPP
workers of the late 1960s, communists groomed him but, instead of being
strangled in the iron curtain of smaller left formations, he opted to swim in
the ocean of people.
Progressive ideology was in his blood and that is why he remained aloof from
the double standards unlike some of his fellow comrades. Despite being born
into a middle class family, he was a feminist to the core. In a reference
organised at the Lahore Press Club, his wife and daughter acknowledged it
publicly.
After passing matriculation examination from Sadiqabad, he got his diploma
from Government College for Technology (Rasul). He did his BA from
Karachi and in 1976 he got employment in Sui Northern Gas.
He was among those political workers who challenged the authoritarianism
of Zia on the streets of Lahore. His tiny flat was a haven for all who were part
of the anti-martial law struggle. One of our common friends met people like
Rasul Baksh Paleejo in early 1980s at Islam’s tiny flat near Riwaz Gardens in
Lahore. He was a supporter of nationality rights. After their engagement, his
wife-to-be got a gift of Punjabi books as Islam wanted her future life partner
to learn her mother tongue.
In 1986, he married Samina Mussarat but when he refused dowry, even his
opponents said that progressive ideology runs in his veins. If you are
progressive and anti-imperialist politically but have regressive ideas socially,
there is no difference between a mullah and a comrade.
Islam was friendly with everyone and, due to his humane attitude, remained
aloof from the ‘sectarianism’ of traditional left. Among his comrades you
would find people from all communist formations i.e. Pakistan Socialist Party,
Communist Party of Pakistan, Mazdoor Kissan Party, Punjab Lok Party, NAP,
ANP, PNP etc. He was not only a contact between the PPP and communists,
but also a binding force among the various left formations.

He was a strong critic of inclusion of money in Pakistani politics. A trained

and seasoned political worker, he knew the phenomenon would ruin politics
from within. He knew very well how the new ‘money-lenders’ had captured
the PPP and the party was not on the right track. He often said the left should
play its role to strengthen PPP as it did in the late 1960s because PPP was the
sole progressive option and the last hope of the disadvantaged groups in
Pakistan.
In his last meeting, a few days before his untimely death, he was ready to
revive the "Tuesday Group" which played an important role in the early days
of anti-Zia struggle.
He did not take any financial advantage for his struggle; he had no claims of
leadership. No doubt he was the unsung hero of the progressive movement
and we can find many Islams in all Pakistani districts, even in the presence of
‘money-lenders’ in politics. It is time to rethink for once what are we
promoting through politics and media? In the absence of political workers like
Islam, no political party can function. Likewise, in the absence of professional
journalists, no media can serve people. In the new political milieu where
‘electables’ rule the roost and we need more workers like Islam ul Haq to
change its face in favour of people of Pakistan.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/558584-islam-ul-haq-unsung-hero