PESHAWAR: Speakers at a condolence reference on Sunday paid tribute to the senior politician from Balochistan Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo for the services he rendered for strengthening of democracy in the country and welfare of people of his province.

The reference was organised by Pakhtunkhwa Jamhoori Ittehad (PJI) in Peshawar Press Club where several senior leaders of different political parties, including PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar, PJI chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao, JUI-F provincial chief Senator Attaur Rehman, National Party provincial president Mukhtar Bacha, Mazdoor Kisan Party chief Afzal Khamoosh, ANP representative Arbab Tahir, Dr Said Alam Mehsud, Shakeel Waheedullah and others shared views on the occasion.

The participants said that late Bizenjo would always be remembered for raising his voice for democracy and welfare of the oppressed people. They said the late lawmaker was an honest politician who had never compromised on his principles despite threats to his life.

They said that Mr Bizenjo always promoted the interests of the soil, raised voice against dictatorship and devotedly worked for strengthening of democratic institutions in the country despite his serious illness.

However, they said that the nationalist leader was not satisfied with the role of major political parties as they did not show unity to defend the 18th Constitutional Amendment which guaranteed the provincial autonomy.

The participants also flayed policies of the government and said that Imran Khan had forgotten his tall claims about peoples’ rights, strengthening of democracy and bringing the country out of economic quagmire. They said that some people had become active to roll back the democratic system in the country and thus submitted applications to the Supreme Court in support of presidential form of government. They stressed the need for disclosing assets by all the people, including politicians, judges and military officials.

PPP secretary general Farhatullah Babar and Senator Attaur Rehman recalled their meetings with the late politician in and outside the parliament who always stressed the need to challenge the forces which did not want to see civilian and Constitution’s supremacy.

He said the late leader had devoted his life fighting for the rights of people of his province and raised voice by challenging the anti-democratic forces with courage.

Sikandar Sherpao, who is also provincial chairman of QWP, said that Mr Bizenjo had played an active role as lawmaker to represent the oppressed people. He appreciated the PJI for organising the event. Mukhtar Bacha said he was one of the pillars of National Party that always took firm stand to defend democracy and rights of the poor people irrespective of their political affiliations.

Maulana Attaur Rehman said that Mr Bizenjo was an active member of the opposition and regularly participated in its meetings despite health complications. He said it was high time for all the political parties to follow the principled stand of such people in the best interest of the nation and country.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2020