Bashir Ahmed Qureshi

Bashir Ahmed Qureshi (Sindhi: بشير احمد قريشي‎; August 10, 1959[2] – April 7, 2012) was a prominent Sindhi nationalist who served as the leader of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), a Sindhi nationalist movement in Sindh, founded by G. M. Syed. He was assassinated mysteriously with slow poison at the age of 54 years on April 7, 2012.[2][3][4]

Bashir Ahmed Qureshi
Pronunciationبشير احمد قريشي
Born(1959-08-10)10 August 1959
Ratodero, Larkano District, Pakistan, Sindh Province
Died7 April 2012(2012-04-07) (aged 52)
Sakrand, Nawabshah, Pakistan, Sindh Province
Cause of deathpoison by phosphorus
Burial placeRatodero, larkano, Sindh, Pakistan
Other namesBashir Khan Qureshi, Sindh jo Wado, Ardo Put
EducationBachelor of Science and Master of Science
Alma materSindh Agriculture University
OccupationPolitician
Known forNational Politician, Social Worker,
PredecessorGM Syed
SuccessorSanan Khan qureshi
MovementJeay Sindh Qoumi Mahaz (JSQM)
Spouse(s)Saeeda Qureshi
Children7, three sons (Sunan Qureshi the current leader of JSQM)[1] and four daughters[2]
Parent(s)Ghulam Murtaza Qureshi (father)
Gulshan Qureshi (mother)
WebsiteJSQM (blog)

Early life

Basheir Qureshi was born to Ghulam Murtaza Qureshi, on 10 August 1959 at Motan Pur Mohalla in Ratodero, Larkana District in Sindh.[2]

He started his political career as a student worker of the Jeay Sindh Students Federation (JSSF) during his master's studies at the Agriculture University, Tando Jam, Sindh. As a student, he also played a democratic role by participating in the movement of restoration of democracy MRD during General Ziaul Haq’s tenure.[2]

After the death of leader GM Syed (who was his political mentor), the party decided to elect Qureshi as the new chairman of JSQM.[3]

Family

Qureshi left behind his widow, three sons and four daughters.[2] His eldest son Sunan Qureshi is the incumbent chairperson of the party (JSQM).[5]

Political activism

He took part in students' politics and joined the Jeay Sindh Students Federation in 1976. He was elected as President of the Federation; Tando Jam Unit in the year 1980 but after two years (1982) was elected as Central Vice President of the Federation. He was also elected as Central President of the Federation in the year 1986.[2] In 1990, he was re-elected for the same post. Nevertheless, in the year 1995, Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz was formed when he was behind the bar but was elected as Deputy Convener.[2] He was also elected as Secretary-General of the Mahaz in 1996 and finally elected as Chairman in the year 1998. Mr. Bashir played a role in mobilizing the members of the Federation and worked hard to strengthen the Federation.

Finally, he was set free in August 1986. Mr. Bashir was again arrested on August 11, 1988 after Sindhi-Mohajar riots. This time, he was jailed for 18 months. Again, he was arrested on Jan 02, 1994 (PPP regime) for two years. Later he was arrested on Jan 17, 1999 on his way to attend the birth celebration of Saeen G. M. Syed and was set free in November 1999 after a struggle of 11 months. Mr. Bashir has remained in prison for a total period of 6 years and 10 months. He is author of his book entitled "Jaagya Junge Jawaan" in Sindhi language, published in 1989 which is a collection of various speeches delivered by him. Mr. Bashir was awarded the "G. M. Syed National Award" in the year 1997. He was arrested on September 15, 2011, by rangers and was charged for carrying weapons, he was released by the court as the arms were duly licensed. His arrest provoked automatic protest and complete strike throughout Sindh was observed.

Timeline
  • Elected as president of the Federation; Tando Jam Unit in the year 1980.
  • He was elected as the vice president of JSSF in 1982 and became its central president in 1986.[2]
  • Elected as deputy convener of JSQM in 1995.[2]
  • Elected as Secretary General of the Mahaz in 1996.
  • Elected as JSQM Chairman in the year 1998.

Freedom March

Bashir Qureshi launched Freedom March[6][7] under the slogan "Sindhi: Sindh Ghuray Thee Azadi‎" (Sindh wants Freedom)[8] on March 23 each year.[9][10][11][7][12] This demanded sovereign independent status for Sindh[6][7][13][14] and march aimed drawing the attention of world sovereign nations and UNO towards the exploitation of people of Sindh by the state of Pakistan since 1947.[15][8]

Social Contribution

Qureshi contributed to resolving the tribal feuds among different Sindhi tribes,[2] and set the tradition of taking delegations to the rival groups to convince and encourage them to resolve their bloody feuds through traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, through the involvement of the notables.[2]

Death

Qureshi died mysteriously at the age of 54 on April 7, 2012 at Sakrand (Sindh).[4][2] Qureshi was visiting the JSQM supporters in Dari Magsi village, Nawabshah District, when he suddenly lost consciousness after having a dinner with other party co-workers. He complained of chest pain followed by a cough. Qureshi was shifted to a local hospital, where he died at around 2:45 am.[16][3]

Poisoning

On 19 April 2012, a forensic medicine and pathology team from government medical institutions of Sindh reported that Bashir Qureshi's reason of death may be high phosphorus or cardiac arrest, but were unable to confirm it. Party activist claimed he was poisoned, but his family did not want an investigation and refused to help investigation committee.[17]

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See also

References
  1. "Sunan Qureshi anointed JSQM chief". The Nation. 11 September 2012.
  2. Tribune.com.pk (8 April 2012). "Sindh jo ardo put: Bashir Qureshi passes away". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  3. Tunio, Hafeez (7 April 2012). "JSQM chairman Bashir Khan Qureshi passes away". The Express Tribune.
  4. "Bashir Khan Qureshi: Murder by Death?". Newsline. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  5. Chandio, Ramzon (21 April 2012). "Govt allows tests at UK labs". The Nation.
  6. "UNPO: Sindh: Freedom March In Karachi". unpo.org. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  7. Shah, Zulfiqar. "Millions Sindhi Hold Freedom March in Karachi To Demand Independence". Truthout. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  8. "JSQM demands independent Sindh at Freedom March". The Nation. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  9. "JSQM freedom march".
  10. "Funeral of JSQM leaders at freedom march". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  11. "JSQM Chairman, Bashir Qureshi's Speech at Sindhudesh Freedom March (Sindhi version) - March 23, 2012, Karachi". Scribd. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  12. "PAKISTAN: Government must hold judicial inquiry in the case of burning alive of two nationalist leaders". Asian Human Rights Commission. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  13. Singh, Dr Rajkumar (16 September 2019). "Unfolding Of Sindhi Identity In Modern Pakistan – OpEd". Eurasia Review. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  14. ANI (18 November 2019). "Sindhis in Pakistan hold freedom march demanding separate homeland". Business Standard India. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  15. "On Pakistan Day, JSQM wants none of the celebrations - Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  16. Khaskheli, Jan (8 April 2012). "Sindh mourns Bashir Qureshi's death". Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  17. "Basheer Qureshi's death probe: Viscera sample contains phosphorous (sic)". Dawn. 19 April 2012.
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