With the demise of former Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) General Secretary and veteran politician Jahangir Badar, the illustrious career of a diehard political worker has come to an end. Badar’s political career is synonymous with continuous struggle and fight against dictatorial regimes. He had the courage to oppose the tyrannical policies of three Pakistani dictators — General Yahya, General Zia ul Haq and General Pervez Musharaf — and braved imprisonment and physical torture. Badar was a central figure amongst PPP’s leadership. He hailed from Lahore from a noble Arain family, and was active in student politics during his university days. Impressed by the charisma of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, whom he met in Lahore during General Yahya Khan’s regime, Jahangir Badar joined and then remained loyal to the party till his death. During the 1980s, while working as a young political leader, Badar played a leading role in making the PPP a household name in Punjab. He was a notable public speaker, and was elected to the National Assembly in 1988, after which he was appointed Federal Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, Housing & Works, and Science & Technology by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. He was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 1994 and was assigned the portfolio of Federal Minister for Political Affairs and Religious Affairs and was re-elected to the Senate in March 2009 on a general seat. Since 1999, he was the Secretary General of the PPP.
Badar was committed to upholding democratic rights and he dedicated his life to keep Bhutto’s philosophies alive — particularly the ideas of socialism. Despite occasional differences, Badar remained a comrade, mentor and friend to the leadership of the PPP, and with courage and commitment, he stood by the party even during its most turbulent times. His death is an unfortunate loss but his legacy remains alive. He will long be remembered for his dedication to democracy, his struggle for socialism and loyalty to progressivism. *