Pakistani-Canadian author, journalist Tarek Fatah dies at 73
Well-known Pakistani-Canadian author, journalist and activist Tarek Fatah died on Monday at 73.
The activist died after a prolonged illness, his daughter Natasha Fatah said on social media.
“Lion of Punjab. Son of Hindustan. Lover of Canada. Speaker of truth. Fighter for justice. Voice of the downtrodden, underdogs, and the oppressed,” she wrote on Twitter.
Lion of Punjab.
— Natasha Fatah (@NatashaFatah) April 24, 2023
Son of Hindustan.
Lover of Canada.
Speaker of truth.
Fighter for justice.
Voice of the down-trodden, underdogs, and the oppressed.@TarekFatah has passed the baton on… his revolution will continue with all who knew and loved him.
Will you join us?
1949-2023 pic.twitter.com/j0wIi7cOBF
Born in Pakistan in 1949, Fatah was a journalist and political activist who wrote several books.
He was known for his progressive views on Islam and terrorism and his stance on Pakistan.
Fateh began his journalism career as a reporter on the Karachi Sun in 1970 before becoming an investigative reporter with Pakistan’s state-broadcaster Pakistan Television.
He even went to jail when he was a leftist leader in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1977, he was charged with sedition by General Zia-ul-Haq's government. He migrated to Saudi Arabia before moving to Canada in 1987, joining Toronto radio station CFRB Newstalk 1010 as a broadcaster and later a columnist for the Toronto Sun.
He has also been associated with several political groups, namely the Liberal Party of Canada and the Ontario New Democratic Party.
He also won several awards, such as the Donner Prize, Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Book Award. He was also a regular commentator in Canadian, Indian, and International media.
Tributes poured in on Twitter.
Former Pakistan ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani said: “His death brings to an end half a century of rigorous debate, vehement disagreements, sharing of knowledge and ideas, and much laughter and friendship rare in an era when people do not know how combine these things.”
Indian actor Anupam Kher said: “Deeply saddened to know about the demise of my friend, a most fearless and kind-hearted man. His courage was infectious!”
Indian director Vivek Agnihotri wrote, “There was one and only Tarek Fatah — daring, funny, knowledgeable, a sharp thinker, a great orator and a fearless fighter. Tarek, my brother, it was a delight to have you as a close friend.”
Author Anand Ranganathan called Fatah "a brave man, a fearless man; but above all, a kind man", while Indian actress and filmmaker Kangana Ranaut said in a tweet he "will be missed".