Syed Iqbal Haider

Iqbal Haider (born 14 January 1945)is a Senior Advocate Supreme Court and the Co-Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan ("HRCP") [ [http://www.hrcp-web.org/new_chairperson.cfm] , http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_21-3-2005_pg7_5] . He is also a former Senator, former Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs from November 1993 to December 1994 [ http://www.senate.gov.pk/ShowMemberDetail.asp?MemberCode=319&CatCode=0&CatName=] and Former Attorney General of Pakistan.

Life and Education

Iqbal Haider migrated to Pakistan from Agra, India. He received his early education and Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Government College of Commerce and Economics in 1964. He read law at the Punjab University Law College, Lahore where he graduated with an LLB in 1966. In 1967 Iqbal Haider went to read law in England at the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn where he became the Vice- President of the Students Union of Lincoln's Inn.

Political Career

Iqbal Haider has since early in his career been an outspoken critic of the involvement of the Army in the political affairs of Pakistan. He was a founding member of the Movement for Restoration of Democracy ("MRD"). He was the Central Acting Convener, Acting Central Secretary General and Acting Joint Secretary of the MRD. During 1981 to 1986 he was detained at least ten times by the Martial Law authorities.

He later joined the PPP where he was appointed the Advisor to the Chief Minister Sindh from January 1989 till February 1990. He was the President of the Pakistan Peoples Party Karachi Division, Vice- President of Pakistan Peoples Party Sindh and member of the Central Executive Committee of the PPP [ http://www.senate.gov.pk/ShowMemberDetail.asp?MemberCode=319&CatCode=0&CatName=] .

On 22 March 2005 Iqbal Haider resigned from the Pakistan Peoples Party to pursue his human rights interests [http://www.dawn.com/2005/03/22/local19.htm] .

Human rights

Iqbal Haider's passion is human rights. He has done work for victims of honour killing, karo-kari, bonded labour, missing persons amongst others. He has sat in the Senate Committee on Human Rights, is one of the founding members of the HRCP and continues to pursue human rights causes in Pakistan.

His recent activities include launching a strong campaign against the government and ISI in relation to the missing persons. He, in his capacity as the Chairman of HRCP, is currently pursuing the case of Dr. Afia Siddiqui who is allegedly being held by American authorities.

Sources

*http://www.hrcp-web.org/new_chairperson.cfm
*http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_21-3-2005_pg7_5
*http://www.senate.gov.pk/ShowMemberDetail.asp?MemberCode=319&CatCode=0&CatName=
*http://www.senate.gov.pk/ShowMemberDetail.asp?MemberCode=319&CatCode=0&CatName=
*http://www.dawn.com/2005/03/22/local19.htm