Human rights activist, senior journalist IA Rehman dies at 90
LAHORE (92 News) - Human rights activist and senior journalist IA Rehman, has died at the age of 90 in Lahore on Monday.
According to family, he was hospitalised after his health deteriorated. The family also said that IA Rehman was patient of blood pressure and diabetes.
He was born on September 1, 1930 in Hassanpur village in Palwal District, Haryana in India, he along with his family migrated to Lahore in 1947 after the partition.
He became the chief editor of the Pakistan Times in 1989, and later became the founding chair of the Pakistan-India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy.
It is noteworthy here that Rehman was a columnist for the daily Dawn and was actively involved with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
Rehman was a distinguished Lahore-based journalist and was involved with journalism for more than 65 years.
During his career, he had served as the editor-in-chief of the Pakistan Times from 1988-1990. During the East Pakistan crisis, he was working as the managing editor of Urdu daily Azad.
He spent the Ziaul Haq period (1978–88) as the executive editor of weekly Viewpoint.
Condolences pour in
Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mehmood Qureshi tweeted: “Pakistan has lost a true icon today with the passing of I.A. Rehman. A staunch advocate and activist for Human Rights and an intellectual, I.A Rehman sahib leaves behind a rich legacy that speaks of tolerance, inclusion, equality and dignity.”
Pakistan has lost a true icon today with the passing of I.A. Rehman. A staunch advocate and activist for Human Rights and an intellectual, I.A Rehman sahib leaves behind a rich legacy that speaks of tolerance, inclusion, equality and dignity.
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) April 12, 2021
A giant intellectual and humanitarian I.A Rehman is no more, a true liberal and humanist I.A Rehman will always be missed #IARehman
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 12, 2021
پی پی پی چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا آئی اے رحمان کے انتقال پر گہرے دکھ و افسوس کا اظہار
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) April 12, 2021
آئی اے رحمان کے ناگہانی انتقال کی خبر میرے لیئے اور ہر محبِ وطن پاکستانی کے لیئے صدمے کا باعث ہے: بلاول بھٹو زداری
@BBhuttoZardari
معروف صحافی،کالم نگار اور ہیومن رائٹس کمیشن پاکستان کےسابقہ سیکریٹری جنرل آئی اے رحمان کےانتقال کا سن کر افسوس ہوا۔ملک آج ایک دانشور، عظیم رہنما اور انسانی حقوق اور مساوات کے علمبردار سے محروم ہو گیا ہے۔ان کی خدمات کوہمیشہ یادرکھا جائے گا۔اللہ تعالیٰ مرحوم کےدرجات بلند فرمائے pic.twitter.com/6JYGi6M7va
— Asad Qaiser (@AsadQaiserPTI) April 12, 2021
* وزیراعلیٰ سندھ سید مراد علی شاہ کا انسانی حقوق کے علمبردار آئی اے رحمان کے انتقال پر گہرے دکھ کا اظہار
— CMHouseSindh (@SindhCMHouse) April 12, 2021
* مرحوم آئی اے رحمان نے ساری زندگی انسانیت کے حقوق کے حوالے سے جدوجہد کی، سید مراد علی شاہ
Shocked and immeasurably saddened to hear of IA Rehman’s passing from Covid! He was an icon of integrity, standing steadfast for every single fundamental right,every single democratic value in the worst of times. Pakistan will not be the same without him. May be rest in peace. 🙏
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) April 12, 2021
After confirmation of his death news, social media users paid tribute to the human rights defender.
Painful to hear that #IARehman sb is no more. He was a voice of reason and intellect, who never shied away from stating facts. @dawn_com and @HRCP87 are poorer today.
— Salman Sufi (Wear a Mask to Keep All Safe) (@SalmanSufi7) April 12, 2021
Our beloved I A Rehman, human rights warrior, visionary and leader has passed away. He led @HRCP87 for decades and was our inspiration and guide. Rest in Peace Rehman Sb. You are always with us.
— Ali Dayan Hasan (@AliDayan) April 12, 2021
This is heartbreaking. The loss of IA Rehman Sb is unbearable. He had been a strong pillar for human rights activists in Pakistan. Can’t imagine a Pakistan without I.A Rehman Sb. https://t.co/b8Ro8PXp1T
— Gulalai Ismail ګلالۍاسماعیل (@Gulalai_Ismail) April 12, 2021
Pakistan’s iconic #IARehman sahib passes away.Innalilahe wa innaelehe rajioon.He was in the vanguard of Pakistan’s democratic struggle, always in the forefront of human rights struggle for Pakistan’s weak& excluded...he was the best of Allah’s Creation... to Him We Shall Return
— Nasim Zehra (@NasimZehra) April 12, 2021
