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JSQM chairman Bashir Qureshi laid to rest in Ratodero

Dunya News

Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) chairman Bashir Qureshis has been laid to rest in Ratodero.

The funeral was offered at School Ground, Ratodero. Thousands of JSQM workers attended the funeral amid sobs for their party head. According to doctors, chemical samples have been taken during the autopsy and the cause of the death would be clear after lab reports.Bashir Qureshi was returning back to his hometown Ratodero in Larkana from Karachi when he stayed at JSQM’s local leader Asif Magsi’s home in Sakrand area of Nawabshah.After the dinner, Qureshi’s health deteriorated and he was shifted to hospital in a critical condition where doctors declared him dead.The dead body of Bashir Qureshi has been shifted to his hometown Ratodero. A large number of JSQM activists have gathered outside Bashir Qureshi’s house after hearing the sad news.JSQM Central General Secretary Asif Baladi said that chances of a conspiracy resulting into the death of Qureshi cannot be overlooked and the party leadership will investigate into the sad incident. Bashir Khan will be laid to rest in Ratodero, Larkana, in his ancestral village.President, Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani, MQM chief Altaf Hussain and other political and social personalities have expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Bashir Qureshi.Bashir Qureshi was 54. He left behind a widow, four daughters, and three sons.Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) has announced to observe a three-day mourning after the death of Bashir Qureshi.Bashir Qureshi was born on 10 August 1959 at Motan Pur Mohalla in Ratodero, Larkana District in Sindh. He completed his primary education up to 5th level at Rato Dero and passed his Matriculation examination from Government High School, Rato Dero in the year 1974. He passed his Intermediate (Science) examination from Shikarpur and got admission in Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam in the year 1976. However, in the year 1981, he was rusticated from the University for one year.He took part into students politics and joined in Jeay Sindh Students Federation in the year 1976. He was impressed upon the thinking of the Great Leader Saeen G. M. Syed and worked hard to spread his message throughout the Sindh.Qureshi 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. He has been playing a very active role in politics of Sindh.Tando Jam police put him behind the bars for the first time in 1978. The Thori Phattak incident (Aug 17, 1984) was a turning point in his life when five activists of the Jeay Sindh Students Federation were shot dead by the security forces at Thori Phatak, near Manjhand, district Jamshoro, on October 17, 1984, when they were on their way to Larkana, for protesting against any army role in politics.This happened during the regime of military dictator General Zialul Haq at Thori Phatak whereas large number of students was arrested, as they were being arrested throughout the country for speaking against the regime.Bashir Qureshi played a vital role in mobilizing the members of the Federation and worked hard to strengthen the Federation. Mr Bashir also took active part in the movement against Martial Law. Later, he was arrested on Jan 15, 1985 at Rato Dero. Torture at various Police Stations, prisons and denial of basic facilities as mentioned in the Jail Manual, was not new things for him. He was kept in Closed Ward (generally known as Band Ward ) in Hyderabad Prison for long time.The Military Court awarded him one year imprisonment in each two cases along with 10 lashes which were implemented. 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. Bashir has remained in prison for the total period of 6 years and 10 months. He has spent best days of his life in prison.He also compiled a book entitled Jaagya Junge Jawaan in Sindhi language, published in 1989 which is collection of various speeches delivered by him. Qureshi was awarded G. M. Syed National Award in the year 1997. Bashir Quresh was also arrested in 2011 allegedly possessing illegal weapons but was later released on bail.
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