Radical Baloch poet Mubarak Qazi passes away in Turbat

Radical Baloch poet Mubarak Qazi passed away after a prolonged illness. He was 68.

Legendary Balochi language poet who hailed from the coastal town of Pasni passed away in Turbat on Saturday.

According to the family sources, he had been in Turbat due to illness for at least two weeks but passed away on Saturday night at the residence of a friend.

His last remains were brought to Pasni in a big procession from Turbat where he was buried in a local graveyard in the presence of thousands of people from different walks of life.

Mubarak Qazi Baloch has more than 10 collections of poetry to his credit.

His first Balochi poetry book ‘Zarnawishat’ was published in 1990 and the last collection of his poetry ‘Shaklian Jurani Broad’ was published in 2022.

His poetry has been recited and sung by famous singers on radio and TV programs as well.

Legendary singer late Noor Muhammad Bizenjo rose to fame on the back of the Balochi poetry penned by Mubarak Qazi Baloch.

Born on December 24, 1955, in Pasni, he received his initial education in his hometown. After matriculation in 1972, he moved to Karachi for further education and did his graduation from Sindh Muslim Arts College.

After this, he returned to Pasni, was admitted to the University of Balochistan, and graduated with a Master’s degree in International Relations. Upon completion of his studies, Qazi joined Pasni Fish Harbour Authority and retired as its director of finance.

He also had an active political career as well. He was arrested for the first time in 1982  after he protested the death sentence handed to a Balochistan Student Organisation leader Hameed Baloch who was accused of shooting at a military delegation of Oman that had come to Turbat for recruitment of Baloch youth for the Omani army. Qazi was held at Central Jail Mach at the time.

Tributes continue to pour in for the radical Baloch poet Mubarak Qazi.