Born on July 3, 1953 Omar Asghar Khan led an eventful life. In his schooldays he was well-known for his exceptional sporting talents.He was the captain of the school’s swimming and hockey teams and also excelled in football. He joined the Army in 1971 and soon rose to the rank of Captain. Disillusioned with the debacle of East Pakistan and the army action in Balochistan he resigned from the army in 1973. A year later he left for England to pursue higher studies. He obtained an M.Phil in Economics from  Cambridge University and returned to Pakistan in 1979.

In 1980 he began teaching Economics at the Punjab University. 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 Zia-ul-Haq’s repressive regime ordered Omar’s dismissal from Punjab University on the flimsy pretext of his presence at a labour rally.

After leaving the University Omar became more active in politics as a leader in Tehreek-i-Istiqlal. He headed the Istiqlal Youth League and later became the Tehreek’s central Information Secretary. Omar contested the national elections in 1988 and 1990 – but lost on both occasions as he spurned the politics of money and biradari. He was part of a team of researchers that compiled the white paper on the 1990 elections: How an Election Was Stolen, published in 1991.

Omar played a key role in setting up many successful initiatives. In 1982 Omar helped establish the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research to promote workers’ rights and served it as a faculty member all his life. In 1987 Omar established SEBCON (Socio-Economic and Business Consultants) with an aim to produce quality action research and policy analysis in Pakistan.

In 1989 Omar established SUNGI Development Foundation. From 1989-99, under Omar’s dynamic leadership SUNGI achieved phenomenal success in a short span of time. It pioneered a rights-based approach that continues to influence much of development effort in Pakistan and in the region. Omar and SUNGI provided critical leadership to Pakistan’s civil society, successfully mobilizing collective action on a range of issues including protecting the rights of the marginalized particularly the poor and women, ensuring equitable use of natural resources, promoting tolerance and social justice in our society, and achieving peace between India and Pakistan and a nuclear-free South Asia.

In 1998 Omar conceptualized and initiated the People’s Assemblies process. Recognizing the limitations of NGO work, this process aimed to create broader civil society alliances as a platform for public mobilization and action. It had wide appeal. More than 50 civil society organizations soon entered its fold. Omar provided it inspiring leadership until end-1999.

In November 1999 Omar resigned as Executive Director of SUNGI and decided to accept General Pervez Musharraf’s offer to join his cabinet. On 6 November 1999, Omar was sworn in as the Federal Minister for Environment, Local Government & Rural Development, Labour, Manpower, and Overseas Pakistanis. In his two-year tenure as federal minister, Omar was successful in shaping and influencing many key policies. He granted ownership rights to katchi abadi residents through the National Policy on Katchi Abadis, approved due to his dedicated and unstinting efforts. Omar’s competence and creativity facilitated the establishment of the first-ever Workers and Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP). This forum helped broker a dialogue between employers and employees and develop a consensus on a substantive labour policy that gives greater social protection to workers. He played a pivotal role in the design of the devolution policy, focusing on creating political space for women, peasants, and workers and protecting provincial autonomy. He also lobbied for restoration of the joint electorate system to ensure equal rights for all citizens.

In December 2001 Omar resigned from the cabinet to play his due role in mainstream politics. He launched the Qaumi Jamhoori Party on 28 December 2001. The Party strives to establish a modern, progressive Pakistan in which the rights of all citizens are protected. Omar was unanimously elected the Party President at QJP’s National Convention held on 26 May 2002. On 15 June 2002 the Party announced its decision to contest the October 2002 elections. Omar was working with determination and diligence to organize the young party until his untimely death under mysterious circumstances in Karachi on 25 June 2002.

Razor-sharp intellect, unwavering conviction, uncompromising integrity and unflinching courage were key elements of Omar’s character. Add to that passionate energy, genuine compassion, and disarming humility, and it was the stuff legends are made of. 

Omar’s vision was a society based on the values of equity, social justice and tolerance. His compassion for the dispossessed and the meek, and his commitment to improving their well-being is reflected in every aspect of his work and accomplishments. He strived all his life to reform the state and make it responsive to the needs and aspirations of its citizens, particularly those that are traditionally marginalized. He provided leadership to Pakistan’s civil society enabling it to assert itself to build public pressure to achieve democratic politics and governance in Pakistan. Omar’s vision and accomplishments is the legacy he has left us with. Its influence will place its footprint on our future as we continue to take his mission forward.