Legendary Balochi poet Mubarak Qazi is no more

KECH: Today, the Kech district of Balochistan is mourning the loss of the celebrated poet Mubarak Qazi. News of his passing has led many individuals to express their condolences and share their grief on various social platforms.

Mubarak Qazi was born on December 24, 1956, in the Pasni area of Gwadar, in the house of Khauda Amanullah. His family has a deep connection to Balochi literature, a connection that Qazi inherited and nurtured throughout his life. His early education took place in Pasni, and later he moved to Karachi to pursue higher studies at Sindh Muslim College. Although he did not complete his initial goal of obtaining an advanced degree, he returned to Pasni and continued his education, eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Urdu Arts College Karachi and a master’s degree in International Relations from Balochistan University.

During his time at university, Qazi was actively involved in student politics and literary activities, affiliations that led him to face imprisonment during Zia’s regime in the infamous Machh Jail of Balochistan. Despite the challenges, he remained committed to his literary pursuits, even venturing into politics through the Baloch Students Organization (BSO).

After completing his education, Qazi returned to Pasni where he founded the “Balochi Labzanki Shingkari Majlis Pasni,” a literary organization. He also worked as a director and financial officer at Fisher Harbor Pasni. His role allowed him to travel officially to several countries including the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.

Qazi was a pivotal figure in the modernization of Balochi literature, reshaping Balochi poetry with themes of romance, spirituality, and nationalism. His contributions have been acknowledged by experts such as Zia Ur Rehman Baloch, a professor at Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad, who stated that Qazi strengthened Balochi poetry alongside other notable poets like Abdullah Jan Jamladani and Atta Shad.

His poetry also became a voice for the oppressed, and he did not hesitate to critique Baloch parliamentary politicians, even those he was friends with. Qazi’s literary legacy is rich, including masterpieces in both Balochi and Urdu.

Here is a translated excerpt from one of his beautiful poems:

Translation: Muslim Shafi

Qazi was proficient in several languages including Balochi, Urdu, Punjabi, Farsi, Arabic, and English. His passing has drawn condolences from many, including the head of the Balochistan National Party, Akther Mengal, and former chief minister Dr. Malik Baloch. Both acknowledged Qazi’s immense contribution to Balochi literature and his unwavering commitment to the Baloch cause.

The “Sickan,” a registered Balochi literary publication from Gwadar, had dedicated two of its journal publications to Qazi during his lifetime. Today, even the Caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan, Ali Mardan Domki, expressed his deep condolences, highlighting the significant loss to the literary world and extending sympathies to Qazi’s family and friends.

Mubarak Qazi’s legacy as a poet and an influential political activist will continue to inspire generations to come.