Homage paid to Dr Kamal

Speakers here at a condolence reference remembered the late Dr Kamal, Chief Executive, Shaheed Bhutto Foundation and founding chairman, Provincial Doctors Association (PDA) as symbol of democracy and a brave social worker. The condolence reference was held under the auspices of Society for Rights and Development (SRD), Tribal NGOs Consortium, Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network and SPO here in Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on Saturday.
Those who addressed the gathering included chairman, Tribal NGOs Consortium, Zar Ali Khan, Zahir Shah Safi, Asad advocate, Tur Gul Chamkani, Idrees Kamal, Aimal Khan Khattak, Ali Wazir and Engineer Ghani Gul Mehsud. In his opening remarks, Zar Ali Khan said that the death of Dr Kamal had created a vacuum, which could not be filled in the near future. He said that the late Dr Kamal was a personality who had adopted the mission of restoration of peace and development of the tribal areas.
He wanted to see the tribal areas of Pakistan at par in development with other parts of the country. He particularly attributed the announcement of FATA Reforms 2011 to his struggle and dedicated work. Zahir Shah Safi advocate said that Dr Kamal was a political and social worker and played a crucial role in the introduction of FATA reforms and struggled to bring political and social change in the tribal areas. Engineer Tur Gul Chamkani recalled the practical efforts made by the late doctor for bringing reforms in FATA. He said that the mission initiated by late Dr Kamal would not be left unaccomplished and would be carried forward.
Ali Wazir advocate said that Dr Kamal raised his voice for the rights of tribesmen, when others remained silent. He recalled him as a man of principles. Engineer Ghani Gul said that Dr Kamal was his friend from university and played important role in the movement of restoration of democracy. He said that the late Dr Kamal was a staunch opponent of military dictatorship. His untimely death had rendered them orphans. Ghani Gul Mehsud, who was also a political colleague of Dr Kamal's, termed his death as an irreparable loss for the party.
Idrees Kamal said that his first meeting with Dr Kamal was a few years back, but their friendship remained intact till his death, saying he was a fair man and believed in practical struggle. He said that Dr Kamal had a big role in the amendments in FATA regulations. Senior journalist Shamim Shahid, said that he was his friend from college and both struggled for the restoration of democracy. Aimal Khattak said that the late Dr Kamal practically participated in the struggle for strengthening democracy and guaranteeing human rights.
Director, Area Study Centre, University of Peshawar, Dr Sarfaraz said that his friendship with Dr Kamal was 32 years old, and he would never forget him. The participants of the condolence reference demanded a posthumous National Civil Award for Dr Kamal in recognition for his political and social services. At the end Daniyal Kamal, the son of late Dr Kamal expressed thanks to the participants and different organisations for holding the event and pledged to carry on the struggle for political and social rights like his father.