Bashir Ahmed Qureshi

Bashir Ahmed Qureshi
Born 10 August 1959
Ratodero, Larkano District, Sindh
Died 7 April 2012(2012-04-07) (aged 52)
Sakrand, Nawabshah, Sindh
Cause of death poison by phosphorus
Other names Abu Jihad Bashir Khan Qureshi
Alma mater Sindh Agriculture University
Occupation Politician
Spouse(s) Saeeda Qureshi
Children 7, three sons (Sunan Qureshi the current leader of JSQM)[1] and four daughters
Parent(s) Ghulam Murtaza Qureshi (father)
Gulshan Qureshi (mother)
Website JSQM (blog)

Bashir Ahmed Qureshi (Sindhi: بشير احمد قريشي‎), (August 10, 1959 – April 7, 2012); was a Sindhi nationalist who served as the leader of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), a Sindhi nationalist movement in Sindh, founded by G. M. Syed.

Early life

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

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

After the death of leader GM Syed (who was his political mentor), the party decided to elect Qureshi as the new chairman of JSQM.[2]

Political activism

He took part into students' politics. He joined in Jeay Sindh Students Federation in the year 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. 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. 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 the 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 collection of various speeches delivered by him. Mr Bashir was awarded "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 court as the arms were duly licensed. His arrest provoked automatic protest and complete strike throughout Sindh was observed.

Contribution

Qureshi contributed to resolve the tribal feuds among different Sindhi tribes, 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.

His last major political event was 'Freedom Rally in Karachi' on March 23, 2012.[3] In which hundreds of thousand activists and public attended the rally. He announced the departure from the 1940 Lahore Resolution in which it was demanded to create a separate country of Muslim majority autonomous states. He further argued that the creation of Sindhudesh and elimination of Pakistan was in the best interests of humanity and global peace.

Death

Qureshi died mysteriously at the age of 54 on April 7, 2012 at Sakrand (Sindh). Qureshi was visiting the JSQM supporters in Dera 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 breathed his last at around 2:45am.[4]

Poisoning

On 19 April 2012, a forensic medicine and pathology team from government medical institutions of Sindh reported that Bashir Qureshi was poisoned to death with phosphorus.[5]

Family

Qureshi left behind his widow, three sons and four daughters. His eldest son Sunan Qureshi is the current chairperson of the party (JSQM).[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://nation.com.pk/karachi/11-Sep-2012/sunan-qureshi-anointed-jsqm-chief
  2. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/361087/jsqm-chairman-bashir-khan-qureshi-passes-away/
  3. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/443671/police-refuse-to-register-case-for-jsqm-chairman-bashir-qureshis-death/
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  5. ↑ http://dawn.com/2012/04/20/basheer-qureshis-death-probe-viscera-sample-contains-phosphorous/
  6. ↑ http://nation.com.pk/karachi/21-Apr-2012/govt-allows-tests-at-uk-labs

3. ^ http://www.dawn.com/news/1094662/partial-strike-in-sindh-after-death-of-ex-jsqm-chiefs-brother

External links

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