Taj Haider

Taj Haider, SI (; 8 March 1942 – 8 April 2025) was a Pakistani left-wing politician, nationalist, playwright, mathematician, versatile scholar and Marxist intellectual. He was one of the founding members of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and was the general-secretary of the PPP from 2023 to 2025 after the office was vacated by Nayyar Hussain Bukhari. After graduating from a local high school, Haider ultimately enrolled in Karachi University in 1959. He studied mathematics at the Karachi University and graduated with a BSc (hons) in Mathematics in 1962.

On multiple occasions, he provided his expertise on taking moral stance on nuclear weapons initiatives at the diplomatic conventions. On nuclear weapons development, Haider stated that "there was a need to aggressively project the peaceful intent of Pakistan's atomic bomb program."

Haider disassociated himself from the politics but remained member of Pakistan Mathematical Society and shifted towards writing political dramas at the Pakistan Television (PTV) in 1979. In 2006, Haider was awarded PTV Awards for Best Playwright Serial award, which he received in a televised ceremony.

Writing and philosophy Haider extensively wrote on nuclear policy issues, left-wing ideas, literary and political philosophy. His more recent writings had included the support of social democracy in the country and power of balance in each state institution. In literary and political circles, he wrote critic articles against the military dictatorship, specifically policies enforced by the conservative President General Zia-ul-Haq throughout the 1980s.

Haider opposed the ethnically based politics of the leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement or MQM, Altaf Hussain based in Karachi by reportedly stating on one occasion, "We were not Mohajirs but Urdu-speaking citizens of this province and this country. Our mother-tongue was the official and national language of Pakistan and it would be wrong and degrading to consider ourselves as lesser citizens or Mohajirs.

Death Haider was admitted to the intensive care unit at Ziauddin Hospital in Karachi whilst battling cancer. He died on 8 April 2025, at the age of 83.

Honours and awards Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan (2013). 13th PTV Awards for Best Playwright Serial award (2006)

Selected articles

Haider, Taj. "CTBT Security Perspectives" Dawn Newspapers, 27 March 2000. Haider, Taj. "Setting the PPP record straight", Express Tribune 2013. Haider, Taj. "Why the PPP is boycotting the presidential election", 16 July 2013

Television plays Jinhein Raaste Main Khabar Hui Lab-e-Darya