"Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (IRD) Executive-Director Dr Mumtaz Ahmad passed away on Wednesday after protracted illness. He was 76. His funeral prayers were offered at his native village in Gujar Khan.
A noted social scientist, scholar and academic, Dr Mumtaz had been associated with the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) since 2007. In addition to his current position as the executive-director of the IRD, he earlier served the university as its vice president, and later as president." Mumtaz Ahmad was a great host and friend when I visited Pakistan back in 2007 to give lectures in universities and think tanks in Islamabad. He has often supplied me with materials for my blog and anonymous observations on Pakistani scene and Saudi influence. He was under great pressures from the Saudi regime after he refused to toe the line: and he resigned from his job as president as Saudi wikileaks indicated that they were desperate to get rid of him. He was a nice and kind man and was very helpful to young students in the field, and he cared about the Palestinian people and their struggle. I offer my most sincere condolences to his son, Junaid, and to his family and friends.
