Tarek Fatah, a Canadian-based author, columnist, and Pakistani-born social media personality known for his scathing and sometimes controversial political commentary, lost his long battle with cancer on Monday.
Al-Fatah’s daughter Natasha Al-Fatah shared the news of her father’s death in a heartfelt tweet.
“Lion of Punjab, son of India, lover of Canada, truth teller, fighter for justice, voice of downtrodden, downtrodden and oppressed. @TarekFatah has stalked… his revolution continues with them all Will live on who knew and loved him. Will you join us? 1949-2023,” Natasha tweeted.
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
According to his public profile, the pro-Indian journalist was pro-independence and opposed to oppression.
Born in Karachi in 1949, Fateh described himself as a “Pakistan-born Indian”.
He moved to Canada in the early 1980s and worked as a political activist, journalist and television host. He also authored several books.
Al-Fatah’s social media following easily rivals that of celebrities, and her fans continue to hail her as a brave voice of dissent in a world full of conformity and duplicity.
After the news of his death, many notable personalities expressed their condolences and sorrow.
Hussain Haqqani, Pakistan’s former ambassador to America, took to Twitter to share his grief. He wrote: “Saddened by the death of Tarek Fatah, whom I first met in 1972. His death ended half a century of heated debates, heated disagreements, exchanges of knowledge and ideas, and so much laughter and friendship. which is rare in this day and age. When people don’t know how to connect these things.”
Saddened by the passing of Tarek Fatah, whom I first met in 1972. His death brings to an end half a century of rigorous debate, vehement disagreements, sharing of knowledge & ideas, and much laughter & friendship rare in an era when people do not know how combine these things. pic.twitter.com/t5nyoWsZmF
— Husain Haqqani (@husainhaqqani) April 24, 2023
Indian actor Anupam Kher also expressed his grief on hearing this news and took to the microblogging platform and said:
“Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of my friend, a true Indian at heart, a very fearless and kind man.
His courage was contagious! His laugh was clear. We met on several occasions. But it was very special to visit her home in Toronto and spend an afternoon with her over some delicious food and wonderful stories. My condolences to his family and friends!”
Deeply saddened to know about the demise of my friend, a true Indian at heart, most fearless and kind hearted man @TarekFatah. His courage was infectious! His laughter was pure. We met at many occasions. But visiting his home in Toronto & spending an afternoon with him over some… pic.twitter.com/ypzp0Tym69
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) April 24, 2023
