MOHAMMAD SHAFI BALOCH
Who shook the colonial roots
October 10, 2011
Mohammad Shafi Baloch, son of Haji Jangi Khan Mengal, was a resident of Anjira area of Surab Balochistan. He completed his primary schooling at the Government School in Anjira and pursued Islamic studies at Tablighi College in Hub. He later earned his intermediate degree (Fsc) from the Government Degree College Khuzdar. Due to financial constraints, he was unable to pursue further regular studies and instead completed a Bachelor of Arts degree as an external candidate. Outside of his academic pursuits, he was an avid sportsman who played regional level cricket.
Shafi began his political involvement during his matriculation years with BSO Pajjar. He was not much aware of political spectrum, after experiencing he knew the true path of national struggle. He later transitioned to the Baloch Students Organisation Azad (BSO Azad). After joining the organisation, he became ideologically more mature and stronger. As an active comrade, he participated in nearly all of the organization’s activities, organising the events, mobilising the students distributing books, pamphlets, and other literature to raise awareness about the regional political situation and Baloch national struggle.
As a conscious political activist, he was challenging every act which is responsible for colonisation of his motherland. He consistently opposed the traditional tribal system in his region, a stance that led to his repeated torturing and imprisonment at the behest of local tribal leaders (Sardars). He opposed their unjust treatment towards the people and educated them by raising awareness among them. Despite receiving multiple threats from colonial Pakistani security forces, urging him to cease his activism, but he remained committed to peaceful political advocacy for Balochistan’s independence.
As like other political workers, he was also targeted by colonial state. On August 7, 2011, Shafi was abducted from the Aga Khan University Hospital premises in Karachi by colonial Pakistani intelligence agencies. Following two months in captivity, his bullet-riddled body was discovered on October 10, 2011, dumped in Baghbana, within the Khuzdar region of Balochistan.
BSO Azad pays heroic tribute to the fallen comrade who challenged every colonial act against Baloch nation and struggled for the restoration of their independence till his last breath. The legacy of our fallen comrades is continued through the generations, their dream of an independent Balochistan will be fulfilled and the Baloch nation will see the dawn of freedom one day.