Abu Dhabi: Izhar Haider, a Pakistani expatriate known for his social work and role in development projects in Abu Dhabi died yesterday at a hospital in the capital.
He was a well known Urdu poet, broadcaster, compere, social worker, event organizer and an eminent member and leader of the Pakistani community in the UAE. He is survived by two children, a daughter and a son.
His funeral prayers will be held today at 4pm at the Central Hospital in Abu Dhabi and the body will be flown to Karachi. He was suffering from heart disease and had undergone a bypass operation a few days ago.
Haider, 65, was a civil engineer by profession but has a long list of achievements in many other fields in Abu Dhabi.
He came to Abu Dhabi in May 1971 and Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan appointed him chief engineer at Abu Dhabi Municipality. He also served as chief engineer in Al Buteen Municipality.
Born in Junagadh State before the partition of the Indian subcontinent, Haider's father Professor Zainullabiddin Naqvi was a renowned educationalist who was based in Luck-now. His family migrated to Pakistan when he was a child.
Founder member
In an interview with Gulf News in 1999, Haider said that it was an honour for him to be involved in the early planning of the capital and the countless construction projects.
Haider was also one of the eight founding members of the former Shaikh Khalifa Committee. He represented the Engineering Department of Abu Dhabi Municipality for five years on the committee until it was given the status of a department in 1974.
After the establishment of the UAE, a special committee was formed to organise the first UAE National Day. Haider was the secretary of the committee that made extensive arrangements for the cele-brations.
Haider also played a major role in the welfare of the Pakistani community in Abu Dhabi. He was elected president of the Pakistan Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi three times.
He played a major role in the construction of the buildings of the Pakistani school and Pakistani centre and also served as secretary of many community committees for welfare projects. He also set up schools in various locations of Abu Dhabi emirate for the Pakistani community.
He had more than 1,000 poetic works to his credit, and also worked with the Urdu language service of Abu Dhabi Radio from its beginning in 1976.
He played a major role in the construction of the buildings of the Pakistani school and Pakistani centre and also served as secretary of many community committees for welfare projects.
From his hospital bed a few days ago he talked to Gulf News, saying that Abu Dhabi is the best place in the world to live.
"I am very happy to be here for such a long time and I really enjoyed my life. The land and people of Abu Dhabi are enriched with sincerity, love and affection, and for them Shaikh Zayed was a gift of God," he said.
