8 June and my irretrievable friend Hasam Baloch
By. Emaan Baloch
The Balochistan Post
World that we live is glamorous, full of love and human being along with other living beings reside in it. Universe that we live in is full of different characters and Every character is playing its role. Some characters with love are making the world stunning, on the other hand some characters with cruelty and barbarism are making the world lugubrious.
In this vast and huge universe we also have a beautiful mother land Balochistan where cruelty spout and where fear has made the life of the people standstill. Burnt houses and old women waiting for their beloved ones are a common sight in every corner of Balochistan. It has been facing numerous military operations for last seventy years. Abduction of teachers, student, old and young is observed on daily basis. Almost every home is Balochistan is affected. Every individual is waiting for the save recovery of their beloved and many have already received mutilated bodies of their beloved ones. Alas! how much painful it is far those who are witnessing it.
8th June is celebrated as missing persons day across Balochistan. The decision was of BSO-A. Family and people of Balochistan too observe this day as missing persons day.
When I come across the word “missing person” thousands of questions inflate within me.
Mama Qadir, an old men sitting for more than 5 years on hunger strike for missing persons, long March bu families of missing persons, struggle of Farzana majeed (A brave sister), relationship of cute Mahlab with missing persons.
Thus my mind goes on thinking who are missing persons and why are they missing?
In my beautiful and vast mother land Balochistan missing persons are those who want to read, who want public awareness, who want better future for their nation and coming generations.
Zakir Majeed, a student leader, has completed almost a decade in torture cells. Young Mahlab has spend a decade holding the picture of her father in front of press clubs.
Still search of Mahlab, Farzana, Mahrang and family of other missing persons is unfinished and their loved ones are yet to be traced.
I was in my unusual state when I came across the news of abduction of my friends, teacher and their friends from Karachi, Sana, Naseer, Hasam and their friend Rafiq.
Suddenly it struck me that now the Daughter of Naseer will spend his childhood like Mahlab in press clubs.
What answer will Abdeen (son of Naseer) will get when he will ask about his father?
Seema (sister of missing Shahbeer) is another Farzana we have now, protesting for safe recovery of her brother .
One of missing person is my friend, teacher, guide and unwavering supporter Hasam.
Why Hassam went missing?
Hasam is a talented students who was always busy with books. His love for books was like the love of a mother for children.
Whenever I could get chance to meet him, his first question was “What are you studying?” Have you studied the book that I suggested?
If I am not wrong books were everything for him. He used to say unless we don’t study, we will not be able enough to know ourselves. Knowing the world and ourselves is hidden in books. His words still spark.
When I think of Hasam as a missing person then questions within me make me upset and sad, how Hasam is spending his days in torture cells without books?
Hasam was a natural poet. His poetry had impressed large number of people along with me. Here are two lines of his poetry.
“heaven
May unleash it’s wrath upon me
But
I like the scorched land of Chagi
More than unsean vistas of paradise
For me ”
I wonder if he continues writing poetry and reading books in torture cells?
Hasam I want to tell you that many new books have been published, I wonder if these books are available to you. Hassm your translation and your books on table wait for you?
When will you return? A student and friend of you is waiting for you like your books.