ISLAMABAD: The participants at a memorial reference on Tuesday paid glowing tributes to veteran politician of Balochistan and Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo for his principle-based politics and courage to challenge anti-democratic forces in the country.

Speaking as a chief guest at the reference, Senate Deputy Chairman Saleem Mandviwala called for announcing Democracy Award for the late president of the National Party (NP) in recognition of his services for the cause of democracy.

The speakers said Bizenjo would always be remembered for raising his voice for the oppressed people and his struggle for democracy in the country.

They said that the late nationalist leader had always worked towards his ideology and values. They termed the death of Bizenjo a tragedy for not only Balochistan but also Pakistan and called the late leader an honest and upright person who never compromised on his principles.

They said the NP leader always promoted the interests of the country and raised voice against dictatorship and worked for strengthening of democratic institutions.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secretary general Farhatullah Khan Babar recalled his last meeting with Bizenjo at a Karachi hospital only two days before his death, stating that the NP leader had told him that democracy could not be strengthened in the country without challenging the forces which did not want to see civilian and constitution’s supremacy in Pakistan.

NP Senator Mir Kabeer while paying tributes to Bizenjo said that late Baloch leader had devoted his full life fighting for the rights of the people of Balochistan. He said that Mr Bizenjo always challenged the anti-democratic forces with courage.

NP Punjab president Ayub Malik said that the late Ba;och leader had made great contribution in the passage of the 18th Constitution Amendment and the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for provinces. He said that Bizenjo was of the view that had the 18th Constitution Amendment been there before 1970, the country would not have suffered East Pakistan tragedy.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2020