Usually, small plants cannot grow under the shade of a large and towering tree. Yet Syed Qamar Abbas broke this tradition in the land of Peshawar and created his own distinct identity. His father, Syed Farigh Bukhari, was a well known progressive poet and writer who belonged to a respected Syed family. His name carried authority in the fields of literature, journalism, and politics. As the author of nearly thirty eight books and a leading figure of the progressive movement, he endured imprisonment and exile many times because of his strong stance for freedom of the press. Despite these hardships, he remained firm in his principles until the end of his life. Farigh Bukhari was like a towering tree, but Syed Qamar Abbas proved through his own character and public service that true inheritance lies not in a name but in action. In this way he built a lasting identity of his own.

Syed Qamar Abbas belonged to a family of three brothers and three sisters. He was a multidimensional personality who devoted his life to knowledge, literature, politics, and service to the public. He was born on October 19, 1950, in the Khudadad neighborhood of Peshawar. The city of Peshawar, often called the city of flowers, influenced his personality with its color and fragrance. Simplicity, sincerity, and dignity defined his character. Wisdom and politeness reflected in his speech, and he believed in serving people while living among them. Growing up in the environment of this historic city, he made principled politics and public service the purpose of his life.

Qamar Abbas married Farhat Abbas in 1986. They had two sons and one daughter. The elder son is Haider Abbas, the younger son is Samar Abbas, and their daughter is Masooma Abbas. All three children followed the values of their parents in their education and practical lives. They adopted service to humanity, love for knowledge, and commitment to principles as part of their lives. His family life remained simple but dignified, and he always emphasized these values in the upbringing of his children. After his martyrdom, the Pakistan Peoples Party honored his sacrifice by granting Farhat Abbas a six year Senate membership, thereby preserving the dignity of their fallen leader and respecting his family.

Syed Qamar Abbas began his academic journey in 1966 by passing his matriculation examination. After that he completed a Diploma in Commerce from the Lahore Board with C.Com in 1967 and D.Com in 1968. In 1969 he completed Urdu Honours from the Peshawar Board and gained distinction for his remarkable performance. In 1970 he received a BA degree from the University of Peshawar. Later in 1973 he completed B.Com from Quaid e Azam College of Commerce at the same university. Because of his deep interest in literature, he obtained an MA in Urdu in 1976 with honors and a gold medal. He also completed an MA in Islamic Studies and received an LLB degree from the Law College of the University of Peshawar in 1977. With degrees in commerce, law, Urdu literature, and Islamic studies, he emerged as a highly educated and versatile personality.

His academic life was not limited to degrees. During his university years he actively participated in debates and literary gatherings, which strengthened his confidence, intellectual depth, and power of argument. His interest in Urdu literature and Islamic studies made him a thoughtful intellectual, while his legal education helped him understand public problems from a legal perspective. This intellectual background later shaped his political life as well. For him, public service was not merely a slogan but a practical and intellectual mission.

The love for books and writing that he inherited from his family deeply influenced him. As a result, he authored several prose works. One of his books, Takmeel e Insaniyat, discusses the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and guides readers toward moral and spiritual development. Another book, Sarchashma e Hidayat, explains important themes from various chapters of the Qur’an and provides guidance for everyday life. His work Wazir e Jail se Aseer e Jail Tak reflects his political experiences and the struggles he faced during imprisonment. It presents not only a personal narrative but also a glimpse into the political history of Pakistan and the democratic struggle. Another work titled Mozuaat e Quran remained unpublished but reflects his deep interest in Qur’anic understanding and religious thought.

During his imprisonment, he also completed the unfinished autobiography of his father, Syed Farigh Bukhari, which was later published under the title Musafatein. This effort reflected his devotion to literature and his commitment to preserving his father’s intellectual legacy.

Syed Qamar Abbas also gained recognition as a columnist. Under the pen name “Rahro,” he regularly wrote columns for the daily newspaper Mashriq of Peshawar. His writings were simple yet thought provoking. They focused on Islamic thought, human values, and social reform, encouraging readers to think seriously about society and moral responsibility.

Among friends he was affectionately known as “Yaron ka Yaar,” meaning a friend of friends. His warm personality and sincere nature made him popular in social circles. People believed that he always stood by his friends and supported others with loyalty and kindness.

He inherited his interest in politics from his father and began his political career through the Pakistan Students Federation during the era of Ayub Khan. He had a close association with Meraj Muhammad Khan. When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto founded the Pakistan Peoples Party and visited the province, Qamar Abbas joined the party. In 1971 he established the Peoples Students Federation at the University of Peshawar and twice won the presidential election of the Commerce College union. His powerful speeches made him extremely popular among the public. His oratory was so influential that even well known politicians like Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao preferred to speak before him at gatherings, fearing that audiences might leave after hearing Qamar Abbas.

He started his formal political journey through local government elections and was elected as a councillor of Peshawar on the ticket of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Later he defeated a former deputy mayor and provincial minister, which strengthened his popularity among the people. In the general elections of 1988 he was elected as a member of the provincial assembly and served as Minister for Housing and Physical Planning as well as Parliamentary Affairs. In the 1993 elections he was again elected to the provincial assembly and served as Minister for Prisons and Public Complaints. During his tenure he initiated major development projects including Hayatabad in Peshawar, Peshawar Ring Road, Sheikh Maltun City in Mardan, Kanju Town in Swat, KDA Township in Kohat, and Bannu Township.

Despite holding important offices, he avoided the formal environment of the government secretariat. Instead, he set up a small rented office near his home in Gulbahar. This place remained open for the public, where people came daily with their problems and he tried to resolve them personally.

During the military rule of Muhammad Zia ul Haq he faced severe torture and imprisonment. He was arrested in connection with the Al Zulfiqar plane hijacking case. Because he had served as private secretary to Nusrat Bhutto for two years, authorities pressured him to give false testimony against her. He refused and endured harsh treatment in prisons from Lahore Fort to Bala Hisar Fort in Peshawar. His nails were pulled out and his health severely deteriorated. He spent nearly eight and a half years in prison during the struggle for democracy.

Throughout his life he remained associated with social and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. During the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake he stayed with victims in Hazara for twenty five days to help relief efforts despite his own illness.

On May 6, 2007, Syed Qamar Abbas was returning from a wedding in Peshawar with his companion Akhunzada Muhammad Ali when unknown attackers opened fire on them near Fakira Abad Bridge in Hashtnagri. Both were taken to Lady Reading Hospital in critical condition but could not survive their injuries. His martyrdom shocked political, literary, and social circles across the region.

The history of the Pakistan Peoples Party is filled with sacrifices. The judicial execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto are among the most tragic chapters of this struggle. The martyrdom of Syed Qamar Abbas became another link in this chain of sacrifice. His life and sacrifice continue to inspire people who believe in democracy, justice, and public service.

The life of Syed Qamar Abbas Bukhari teaches an important lesson. When knowledge, literature, and politics unite for the service of humanity, real change becomes possible in society. His martyrdom was a great loss, but his intellectual, literary, and political legacy continues to guide future generations. His simple, dignified, and sincere life reminds us that true greatness lies in character and service to humanity.

Shortly before his martyrdom he went for Umrah with Professor Abdul Rauf. While there, he expressed a desire to hold the door of the Kaaba and pray. With the help of Professor Abdul Rauf he reached the door and prayed. Later when the professor asked what prayer he had made, Syed Qamar Abbas quietly replied that he had prayed for martyrdom.

Today it feels as if God accepted that prayer.