The Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) hosted a heartfelt event in Quetta on Thursday to mark the first death anniversary of the renowned Baloch national poet, Mubarak Qazi. The gathering, held in his memory, aimed to celebrate his life, poetry, and enduring legacy.
The ceremony featured various segments, including a paper published by the committee, a documentary and a short drama based on Qazi’s life, speeches about his poetic contributions, a poetry recital, and musical performances. The event provided an opportunity for the attendees to reflect on Qazi’s profound impact on Baloch literature and his role in representing the struggles of his people.
Professor A.R. Dad, Professor Manzoor Baloch, and writer Gulab Gulzar Baloch were among the key speakers who discussed Qazi’s significant influence. They highlighted how Qazi earned a place of unparalleled respect within the Baloch community, with his poetry capturing the essence of the Baloch struggle for justice and dignity. They said that Qazis’s verses were deeply tied to his land and people, and he never shied away from confronting the harsh realities of oppression in his work. They said that despite facing imprisonment, threats, and even physical attacks, Qazi remained steadfast, never wavering in his dedication to both his art and his cause.
One of the event’s highlights was a drama depicting key moments from Qazi’s life, followed by a poetry session where several poets, including Zahoor Zebi, Nizam Nazir, Sahir Aziz, and Hammad Hamraz, recited their own verses. The evening concluded with a musical tribute, with singers Baseer Alam and Qayyum Baloch singing Qazi’s poems, bringing his powerful words to life through song.
The event saw a large turnout, with writers, poets, teachers, and students all gathering to pay tribute to Mubarak Qazi, whose influence on Baloch culture, literature, and thought continues to resonate a year after his passing.