Chief of the Poets—Mir Gul Khan Naseer
Chief of the Poets—Mir Gul Khan Naseer
Your death is a great tragedy O’ Gul Khan Naseer
Today every Baloch languishes in worry and sorrow;
Immersed in threnody, mothers of nation yell Mir, Mir
Left he the Baloch nation, orphan and destitute
Ah Gul Khan Naseer
A pain-stricken poet had uttered these lines in the grip of utter sorrow and grief on his death. Mir Gul Khan Naseer was born in Mengal village of Nushki in 1914. He belonged to the Sardarkhel family of the Mengal tribe. He acquired his primary education from his native village and after passing his primary levels, he took admission in the Middle School at district Mastung. After having passed middle, he took admission in Quetta Sandeman School where he passed matric from. He made to the Islamia College Lahore for higher education and he passed Intermediate in Faculty of Arts (FA) from this college. He, however, could not continue his further education on account of some indispensable circumstances. My acquaintance with late Mir Sahib was from the times of school when I was too acquiring education from Government Sandeman High School Quetta. Mir Sahib was a student of 9th class then and I was in 7th class. Besides us, number of other Baloch students were also acquiring education from this school whose names as follow: late Mir Baz Khan Mengal, late Mir Abdul Wahid Azad Jamaldini,late Mir Noor Muhammad Lehri, late Mir Fazil Khan Muhammadshai, Mir Dost Muhammad Lehir, Mir Wahid Bakhsh Mengal, late Mir Muhammad Bakhsh Lehri, Mir Abdul Hameed Jamaldini, Mir Muhammad Anwar Jamaldini, Mir Ibrahim Khan Mengal, Mir Saleh Muhammad Marri (late),, late Mir Ali Muhammad Rind, Mir Fazil Khan Mengal, Mir Lal Bakhsh Mengal and Mir Behram Khan Mengal. The foundations of Baloch Students Association came into existence with the mentioned names in 1931 and late Mir Fazil Muhammad Khan was selected as its president.
By this time the rule of English was at its peak on Sub-continent and two used to be two Balochistans—on British Balochistan and the other State Balochistan. The State Balochistan comprised of States of Kalat, Kharan and Lesbela. The high-handedness of English in British Balochistan and State Balochistan had reached its pinnacles. The Prime Minister appointed by the English had set the stage of his atrocities in State Balochistan. Same was the case with British Balochistan. In both these Balochistans, mention of politics was considered as a gigantic sin. However, the new generation of Baloch could not help being influence by the new political waves.
This atmosphere also left its deep imprints on Gul Khan Naseer and he adopted struggle against imperialists forces as a motto of his life since childhood and afterwards he remained steadfast to the very principal until his last breath. Therefore, his all life remained behind the gallows.
His spirit for independence left such deep influence on his poetry that he dedicated all his poetry in the favour of oppressed.
Mir Gul Khan Naseer was a born poet. He started saying poetry when he was in 6th class. He poetry began with the Brahvi language. Initially he would only say poetry in Bravhi. A rhyme of him is presented here in Bravhi language.
Sitam na hurak karawan basonay,
Janat na phulatiaan ahysunay
Caravan of cruelty see has arrived
Bringing the flowers of paradise
Later on when Mir Sahib grew up, he began to say poetry in Balochi, Persian and Urdu. His poetry is being presented in these languages as a modal.
Baz Barja Da Showar Guzar Bayed Kard,
Seena Ra Khugar Khunam Tabar Bayed Kard
Translation: He is advising the human beings that if they want their desired destination, then they should make themselves habitual of tolerating hardships. And that they have to tread hard and difficult paths to achieve emancipation from slavery and have to render all sorts of sacrifice. Your resolve must be always high for independence.
Urdu Poetry:
Aa gia Waqat-e-Imtian Baloch
Ab hay kuch aur aasman Baloch
He gave this message to the Muslims of Indo-pak Subcontinent in 1935:
Kufr k Zulmat Kady main nor-e-emaan chahiey
Kashti be badan ku fazal-e-yazdan chahiey
By the time Gul Khan Naseer completed his education, the independence movements had gained momentum in India. Having being influence by these circumstances, the spirit of struggle against English imperialists took further roots in him. The high handedness of English had reached their zenith in the state Balochistan which was known as Kalat state. Under such circumstances, establishment of a political party had become indispensable. The first political leader of the area, late Mir Abdul Aziz Kurd, had already laid down the foundations of Kalat State National Party and in this way the independence seeking and nationalist groups could find a political platform.
These days the great Baloch leader Mir Yousaf Ali Khan Magsi was incarcerated in Mastung jail. He announced his support for the platform first of all and in this way Kalat National Party (KNP) emerged as a national and representative political party. Mir Gul Khan Naseer also participated in this party and played a pivotal role. He became an important member of the party. Besides him, his colleagues included Mir Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo, Abdul Raheem Khawjakhel, Malik Faiz Muhammad Yousafzai and Abdul Kareem Shorash who played an active role in the party. The Kalat State National Party emerged an active party by the participation of these leaders. This was the time of 1933 when Khan Mir Ahmed Yar Khan was crowned on the throne of Kalat. He was a liberal, educated and democratic person. He initiated negotiations with the members of Kalat State National Party and sought their cooperation in the work of his governmental machinery. As a result, the prominent leaders of national party cooperated with him and also accepted government designations. And Mir Gul Khan Naseer also accepted the designation of officer in the administration of State of Kalat. He was appointed as ombudsmen and later was promoted to administrator and junior minister. In this way he also acquired experience of employment apart from politics and journalism and by virtue of this experience, he also became an historian apart from being poet as during the employment period, he was appointed in different areas of State of Kalat and wherever he went, he collected the samples of ancient Balochi poetry. He would meet people having taste of poetry and would also collect information about the background of tribes which equipped him with the historic facts. Apart from Balochi poetry, ancient Balochi poetry has a significant place in Balochi because some facts are always hidden in the background of ancient Balochi poetry.
During the employment period of Gul Khan Naseer, the interference of English remained active in State of Kalat and its administration and finally a time came when the nationalists resigned from their jobs in protest and launched a political movement. Along with many other colleagues, Gul Khan Naseer also resigned from employment and following this he remained linked with politics until his death.
Mir Naseer Khan Noori enjoys the most exalted position amongst the Khans of the Baloch in the history of Balochistan. He is the first Baloch monarch who established a systematic government of the Baloch and expanded the frontiers of Balochistan from Bandar Abbas to Multan. The cities of Sindh Karachi and Jaacobabad were under his rule. Baloch consider Mir Naseer Khan Noori a saint. Even today people visit his mausoleum in Kalat in flocks. All Baloch use the maxim of ‘Ya Naseer Khan Wali’ in the times of adversity. Mir Gul Khan naseer also derived his link from the same great Baloch leader and adopted the title of ‘Naseer’. His unpublished poems “Alfnama-e-Azadi, Agia waqat-e-Imtain Baloch, Jirga, Mery Deis k Nau Jawan So rahy hain, Satio Tumain Salam, Mera Payera Deis, Sardaro say, Raaj Kary Sardar, Bhaia aur Nidamat k Anso, are Mir Sahibs historic poems. He was basically a great poet of the Balochi language. In the world of Balochi poets, he is regarded as the Chief of Balochi Poets (Malik-ul-Shuaara. His first collection of poetry is ‘Gulbang’ which probably came on the scene between 1940 and 50. Subsequent to this, the following collections of his poetry were published: Dostein or Sheeren, Shap Girok, Hamal Junaid, Grand Balochistan ki Kahani Shaarion ki Zubani, Balochi Razmia Shaari, Balochi Ashqiaa Shaaria, Faiz Ahmed Faiz k Sari-e-wadi Sina ka Manzoom Balochi Tarjuma, “Seenai Gichik’, Jang Mashadihidna and in Brahvi his last collection of poetry was Shah Lateef Gosheet. This was his last translated work which Balochi academy published just before a year of his death.
Mir Gul Khan Naseer was a public and revolutionary poet. He would enthrall the political conventions and in poetic symposiums. His poetry would convey the message of hatred and revenge from the atrocities and exploitation. He would paint such a picture of the mother country and the poverty of the poor that the people would return with a new zeal. He was much pained on the condition of Balochistan and the miseries of Baloch masses. He wanted to see his nation happy and developed. He would teach people the lesson of advancing ahead and to bring to an end the exploitative system. His poetry is replete with the enthusiasm of movements.
Qadam, qadam rawa beet, dilair o pehlwan beet
Pa nishan-e-madar-i-watan, fida go jism-o-jan beet
Pa naam o nang of abro, saran wati diyan beet
Ghulam aa chey dar kapat, qadam qadam rawan beet
Pada, Pada they aur Na pada. Utho, tho Naujawano.
Such thousand other poetry are liked by people which they would listen and relish. He infused courage, belief and energy in the masses through his poetry. Mir Gul Khan Naseer wrote most of his books in jails which were published with the cooperation of the friends. Mir Sahib also authored many books in prose. His first prose books is History of Balochistan based on two volumes which he wrote on the utmost desire of Khan Mir Ahmed Yaar Khan. Later he wrote Kooch o Baloch history. He translated from Persian into Urdu the Akhund Muhammd Siddque Mullazai’s Khawanian Kalat ki Mukhtasar Tareekh which is popular with the name of Kitab al Abrar. It was published by Nisa Braids before two years of his demise. He also translated General Dyr’s book ‘The Raiders of Frontiers’ into Urdu and named it as Balochistan k Sarhadi Chapamar. His last book in prose is ‘Tareekh-e-Balochistan—Daur-e-Qadeem and Jadded ki Roshni main’ (The History of Balochistan—in the light of ancient and modern age).
Besides being poet and historian, Mir Sahib was also a journalist. He published a weekly newspaper working with Mir Ghulam Muhammad Shahwani, ‘Nawa-e-Balochistan which was banned after lapse of some time on account of its progressive thought expressions.
Apart from journalism, he also played a significant role in politics. Mir Gul Khan Naseer was a mountain of perseverance and determination. He was never afraid of the hardships. He was much soft spoken, soft tempered and well dressed human being. He would tolerate criticism in politics with a broad gesture. After a long political struggle and countless sacrifices, he defeated the millionaire of Balochistan known as King of Marble Mir Nabi Bakhsh Zehri in the first ever general elections of country in 1971. Even the bail of the Zehri sahib was also confiscated. He was elected on National Awami Party ticket from district Chagai Balochistan. And when the coalition government of banned Awami National Party and banned Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam was formed, Mir Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo became governor of Balochistan and Sardar Attaullah Khan Mengal the Chief Minister and Mir Gul Khan Naseer was appointed as Senior Minister.
He managed the affairs of his department much efficiently. He had the portfolio of education. He called a convention of the Baloch intellectuals and thinkers in Quetta for the development of Balochi language and hence marked a history wherein Baloch intellectuals participated from all over the Balochistan. He would like Roman font writing for Balochistan writing. When the coalition government of Awami National Balochistan Party and Jamiat-e-Ulam Islam was dissolved as a result of various internal and external conspiracies, a strong reaction was seen against it in Balochistan. People protested against the dissolution of their elected government. Thousands went to jail and the renowned political workers and leaders of Balochistan were arrested. Mir Gul Khan Naseer was also arrested. He passed a five year long period in Mach central jail and Hyderabad Jail. The whole family of Mir Gul Khan Naseer faced thorny problem. He elder brother Mir Lawang Khan was martyred. In 1978 the military government withdrew the conspiracy case which the former government had formed. As such Mir Sahib was released from prison along with his other colleagues and a time also came when Mir Sahib resigned from the leadership of PNP. This sagacious political worker, poet, intellectual journalist and historian of Balochistan breathed his last in a hospital of Karachi during the mid-night of the 7 and 6 December 1983. He was diagnosed for lung cancer. His body was shifted to his native village Killi Mengal in Nushki where he was laid to rest. His death unleashed a wave of sorrow and grief in the intellectual, poetic and political circles of the entire country. Specifically, his death was felt as a great loss and national tragedy for Balochistan. Mir Gul Khan Naseer served the masses almost for half a century. Most of his life passed in jails. He was the national poet of the Baloch. The nation had awarded him with the title of Malik-ul-Shuaara (the chief poet) which he rightly deserved.
Shikast Bal Umeed Raft Az Jahan Fani Naser
Che Nau Nazad Mam Watan Farzindi Muni o Khabeer
A GALANCE AT THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SERVICES OF MIR GUL KHAN NASEER
Mir Gul Khan Naseer was a great poet, literary figure, historian and politician. He had allocated his entire life for the welfare, economic liberty and prosperity of his nation. He desired to see a nation divided into various tribes to be united and organized and for this purpose faced many troubles and challenges. He used his tongue and pen for this purpose with all honesty and enthusiasm. It is hard to find any such personality in the history of Balochistan who possesses so many qualities.
Mir Gul Khan Naseer began his political life in such an environment which was not appropriate for the political activities from any aspect. The people, who live in Balochistan, know it well that what were the social and economic conditions of Balochistan 40 to 50 years ago. Balochista was a tribal society where the means of communication were extinct and there was lack of educational awareness. Tribal leaders had all the authority in them and the social development was all dependent on them. To interfere in the power circles of these tribal leaders was not possible. Mir Gul Khan Naseer laid the foundation of political movement in Balochistan along with his other colleagues. This can rightly be said that Mir Sahib is one of the founding fathers of political movements in Balochistan. With being politician, he was also a high profile literary figure and poet. He cannot be compared with any poet of the world. His poetry was not limited to Balochistan only but poetry contains international importance. Mir Sahib has written poetry in various languages which including English, Hindi, Urdu Persian, Bravhi and Balochi. But, his Balochi poetry touched its pinnacles. Mir Sahib’s poetry was purposeful and he always remained linked with his purpose. His poetry is replete with courage, encouragement, enthusiasm and purposefulness. Mir Gul Khan Naseer would express his purpose in his poetry so beautifully. The reader finds lesson of absolute determination in his poetry and finds the courage and spirit to fight against troubles and difficulties. The glad tidings of ending of the dark night and drawing of bright morning are found in his poetry which discourages the frustration and promotes hope for success.
In hi all writings, the utmost want of achievement of his purposes is present. Mir Sahib wanted that the Baloch nation should achieve liberty from centuries old slavery and should achieve emancipation from the life of middle ages. Mir Sahib was the sympathizer and friend of all the oppressed and suppressed nations whether they were the masses of Palestine or the people living in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Mir Gul Khan Naseer was they sympathizer of all equally. Mir Sahib was a true patriot. The spirit of his love for his country and the masses taught him to write the history of the Baloch people. Before his work on history, the foreigners had also written the history of Balochistan but the history of these foreigners cannot be called the true history of the Balochistan because they include nothing more than the style of people’s living and the chronology of the tribal chiefs. They aimed at providing knowledge to the foreign rulers about the tribes and their chiefs habits and specifications so that English could decide their future policies, keeping in view these details. Mir Gul Khan’s history reflects the Baloch’s social and cultural life. Undoubtedly, in his history there are certain things which do not meet the requirements of modern day scientific historiography but still this the most important book amongst the books written on the history of Balochitan.
Mir Gul Khan Naseer lived his entire life in troubles and difficulties. Akin to the other great personalities of the world, on his death world acknowledged his achievements and success and now we have to make efforts to transform the achievements of Gul Khan Naseer to the next generations.
Mir Gul Khan is not today among us but his services and poetry replete with encouragement is present among us. We should derive benefits from his achievements and should enlighten our ways with his bright thoughts, moving ahead.
MIR GUL KHAN NASEER—JOURNALIST
Around 30 to 34 years before, a new hotel with accommodation facilities names as standard hotel was established on Mission Road Quetta. Even today this hotel exists. Gul Khan Naseer stayed in this hotel. He was editor of a Weekly Newspaper Nawa-e-Balochistan. The owner of the news paper was Balochistan’s industrialist Mir Nabi Bakhsh Zehri who had resigned as Naib Tehsil and was living in Quetta. Mir Gul Khan Naseer was my elder and my helper and he also belonged to Nushki, the place from where I had come. Therefore, I would go to meet my elderly to the Standard Hotel. The room in which he was living was almost bearing the number 24. Since the hotel was new, it was so clean and Mir Gul Khan Naseer had developed fondness for it. This was the beginning of the Mir Gul Khan Naseer’s journalistic life. However, I had heard that Mir Sahib had also remained linked with a famous weekly of Quetta, ‘Istaqlal’ for a short period of time. Mir Gul Khan Naseer seemed happy and satisfied with his journalistic life. His enthusiasm with work reflected his commitment with the journalism.
The high interest and consistency of Mir Naseer Khan rose the Nawa-e-Balochistan to the position of imminence. The newspaper acquired importance so quickly in the eyes of the masses and in that of the government. Therefore, government turned a sympathetic view to the newspaper as well as Mir Naseer Khan. Ghulam Muhmmad Shahwani would also be there in company of Mir Gul Khan Naseer often. It was due to Mir Gul Khan Naseer that my acquaintance developed with Ghulam Muhammad Shahwani. There I also developed acquaintance with another kind personality who was known with the name of Muhammad Panah. He was also an interesting person. He would always smile, pressing his lips where as the laughters of Ghulam Muhammad Shahwani would echo in the corridors of Standard Hotel. Mir Sahib had the company of these both personalities. The relation of Malik Muhammad Pana can be evaluated by the fact that he had special importance amongst the acquaintance of Mir Sahib.
The importance of Standard hotel was increasing day by day because of Mir Gul Khan Naseer and the newspaper. His room, which was also the office of the newspaper, was becoming the centre of Balochistan’s intellectuals and politically aware people.
Mir Gul Khan Naseer’s way of thinking was clear. He didn’t accept the editorship of Nawa-e-Balochistan because Mir Nabi Bakhsh Zehri was an industrialist nor because he got an employment. He had rather committed to bring all his potential in use for the service of the masses. He would consider Newspaper as the best way of acquiring his purpose. Therefore, He took the responsibility of the editorship of Nawa-e-Balochistan. Mir Gul Khan Naseer was of the view that the newspaper which he should publish should the representative of the aspirations of the masses.
He made Nawa-e-Balochistan a popular name. The purpose for which Mir Nabi Bakhsh Zehri had established the newspaper was the promotion of his business and that did not seem to apply to the purpose of Mir Gul Khan Naseer.
It was often asked from Mir Gul Khan Naseer that Mir Nabi Bakhs Zehri was a capitalist and he was against capitalism then why did he accept the job. So Mir Gul Khan Naseer would state his viewpoint this way:
“Our country has acquired independence from neo-colonialism recently but in Balochistan the capitalism and Jirga systems are still intact. Our immediate purpose is to fight against these outdated systems and against the eradication of a black law like FCR. The class of Sardars is bound to melt whereas Nabi Bakhsh Zehir has recently risen. He is also against Sardars and is busy in consolidating his position in the society. We need him and he needs us. Therefore, we should side with him. Therefore, I accepted the editorship of Nawa-e-Balochistan.”
The logics of Mir Gul Khan Naseer would convince and the acquaintances would go silent. The policy of Nawa-e-Balochistan was becoming clearer day by day. The editorials written by Mir Gul Khan Naseer were the evidence of it. Gul Khan Naseer was counted as the hardest enemies of Jirga System and Sardari System. This policy of Mir Gul Khan Naseer was not acceptable to the Sardars and Government a least bit and Mir Nabi Bakhsh Zehri went in loss in this deal. He could not tolerate the government’s anger. The purpose for which he had established newspaper was not fulfilled. The purpose of Gul Khan Naseer was gaining weight.
As a result, Mir Nabi Bakhsh Zehri closed the Nawa-e-Balochistan and the weapon was snatched from the hands of Gul Khan Naseer with which he was fighting the cause of the masses.
Mir Gul Khan Naseer was deeply saddened. He was a poet. He would be flying in the times of ecstasy but would be aggrieved in sad moments. Finally, the laughters of Ghulam Mir Shahwani proved handy. By this time, Ghulam Muhammad Shahwani was the editor of the first daily of Balochistan ‘Itehad’. He had asked permission for Nawa-e-Watan. Fortunately, after the closure of Nawa-e-Balochistan, the permission for Nawa-e-Watan was granted and Ghulam Muhammad handed over that declaration to the Mir Gul Khan Naseer.
Mir Gul Khan Naseer was revitalized. Nawa-e-watan appeared splendidly on the horizon of Balochistan’s journalism. Now there was no hurdle in the way of Mir Gul Khan Naseer to bring in use his policy. He began publishing Nawa-e-Watan with much enthusiasm and I was asked to be a part of this newspaper’s editorship. Hence, I was appointed as assistant of Mir Gul Khan Naseer.
The office of the Nawa-e-Watan remain at the same place where the office of the Nawa-e-Balochistan was—the room of the Standar Hotel. Nawa-e-Watan became the representative of the masses of Balochistan. Whoever would face a problem, he would reach at Nawa-e-Watan Hotel in search of Mir Gul Khan Naseer. The room of Mir Gul Khan Naseer was open for every ordinary and important person. Each and every news would reach to Mir Gul Khan Naseer. Mir Sahib remained all the more immersed in his journalist life.
We had a bicycle and a few chairs and Mir sahib’s bed and a rolled mat. Sometimes me, Mir Sahib or the peon of the office would use bicycle to go the press and office. Apart from the chairs, the bed of Mir Sahib was also used for sitting and when the newspaper would get published, the mat would be stretched in the drawing room and peon would bring some curd. We three and if any acquaintance would be there would past tickets on the newspapers’ folding and would post Nawa-e-Waqat.
This was a golden period of journalism in Balochistan. By this time, the weekly newspapers had great importance. And the newspaper writers were held in high esteem. The field of journalism was taking roots in Balochistan and new thinking and new ideas introduced new approaches in journalism in Balochistan. The importance of journalism increased countrywide following the independence. The national journalism had began to develop. Lucky Sata, Pakistan Times, Imroz, Lal or Nihar brought a revolution in journalism.
The young journalists earned good name in Quetta. Besides Gul Khan Naseer, Ghulam Muhammad Shahwani, Abdul Samad Durani, Abdul Kareem Butt, Najam Qazalbash, Zamrud Hussain, Gull Muhammad Irawi, Syed Kamil Qadiri, Abdu Hayee Babar, Abdul Rehman Ghaur, Syed Fasieh Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Kurd, Abdul Kareem Shorish and other younsgsters rose the image of journalism in Balochistan.
The trainerees of these young journalists are still here. Maulana Abdul Kareem Abu Jameel, Muhammad Hassan Nizami, and Molvi Abullah would bring colours to the press conference. Apart from these, the national newspapers and news agencies’ reporters increased the importance of journalism in Balochistan.
Master Kamal-ddin was the representative of Daily Jang. Anjum Qazal Bash would represent Daily Imroz. Qazi Anwar-ul-Hassan and Mehmood were the representatives of the Pakistan Times and Dawn respectively. Mazam Ali and Azam Ali brothers would represent PPI and UPP. Rafique Paracha was the representative of APP. For some time Hassan Ikhtra had come and gone back. Shams-ul-Haq was also among these young newspaper representatives.
Apart from Nawa-e-Balochistan and Nawa-e-Watan, the weekly newspapers of Balochistan included Paigham-e-Jadeed, Khawar, Chiltan, Tameer-e-Balochistan, Tanzeem, Zamana, Misaq-ul-Haq, Nawa-e-Bolan, Rehbar-e-Niswa, Karawan, Kohsar, and Sarban.
Quetta Times was the only English weekly of Balochistan. A café known as Dawn Cafe located at Jinnah road would be the gathering place of editors, journalists and newspaper representatives. They would be found here often. Apart from meeting each other, these people would also meet the people. You could meet any journalist at Jinnah Road and Dawn Café. Perhaps, this tradition exists even today.
Various commentaries, criticism and analysis would be made on the headlines, news items and editorial at Café Dawn. Mir Gul Khan Naseer was popular on account of sociable and interesting disposition and all had become friends. I can’t remember if Mir Sahib had participated in any government press conference.
His newspaper never got concession of government advertisement. Nawa-e-Balochistan and Nawa-e-Watan would get published in Islamia Press. Usually all the newspapers and journals would get published in this press. Haji Muhammad Yousaf, the owner of Islamia Press, was the friend of all. He had arrangements for debt accounts. Therefore, the publication of Mir Sahab’s newspaper would not face financial constraints.
The workers of Press and the experts of writing would consider Mir Sahib as their friend. He would get his newspaper inscribed by Ghulam Nabi and Barkat Shahbaz. The editorials of Nawa-e-Watan would became subject for discussion often in political, social and press corridors. The headlines of Gul Khan Naseer would leave a splashing effect. He would take out such headlines of news that would stir the relevant people. The ones who go resort of excess would be panicked and the one whose appreciation was desired, he would go into high ecstasy reading the news.
Mir Gul Khan Naseer was much popular as a newspaper writer. By this time, his journalism was heavy on the politics which provided bases for the future politics of Mir Gul Khan Naseer. The copies of paper which would be published and distributed would leave stirring effects. Whenever I would visit Nushki, would find the people waiting for the newspaper of Gul Khan Naseer. He and his newspaper would be mentioned in each gathering.
The newspaper of Mir Gul Khan Naseer arouse awareness amongst the masses and people became acquainted with the use of press. They would turn to Mir Gul Khan Naseer for each of their problem and its solution.
Mir Gul Khan Naseer never visited other places from Quetta for collection of subscriptions for newspaper. Whenever the VP of newspaper would be sold most of the VPs would be taken up. Apart from this, the associates of Mir Gul Khan Naseer would help him financially. Mir Ghaus Bakhsh Bizejo was such a friend of Mir Gul Khan Naseer without whom the thinking of Mir Gul Khan Naseer would remain incomplete. Bizenjo sahib would stay at Standard Hotel with Mir Gul Khan Naseer for months. Those days, the association was exemplary. Both were the twin young leaders of Balochistan and both were seen together mostly. Most of the time, the dressing of both would also be same. Highly determined and impressing friends would also go ahead together. Mir Ghaus Bakhsh Bizejo would always encourage Mir Gul Khan Naseer, would share his grief and would remain alert to solve his journalistic problems.
Popular political and social personalities would come to meet them at Standard Hotel. Mir Abdul Aziz Khan Kurd, Abdul Rahim Khwajakhel, Malik Muhammmad Khan Yousafzai, Sher Muhammad Khan Marri, Abdul Kareem Shorish, Mir Fazil Khan Muhammadshai, would be seen in the room of Mir Gul Khan Naseer most of the time. Mastung, Kalat, Makran, Khuzdar, Jhalwan, Lesbela, Chagi, Kharan and from other areas the political and social workers would come to meet them. The educated and employed class would bring their problems. They would mostly ask for the cooperation of Mir Sahib for their employment and promotion problems.
Samim Sarangzai and Ameer Jan Muhammadshai were close associates of Mir Sahib. Mir Sahib would face criticism most of the time. People would criticize Mir Sahab aloud. But, he would try to satisfy them with much tolerance. It was felt that the newspaper of Gul Khan Naseer was his own and his will had much to do with newspaper.
I came to know about the poetry of Mir Gul Khan Naseer in Standard Hotel. He had said some of his poetry in 1950 in Balochi. He gave me his collection for reading and it was his poetry that diverted my attention towards Balochi language and literature. In Standard Hotel I took the book of Dames from Gul Khan Naseer and became aware of Balochi Classical poetry. —- Translated by Safiullah Shawani
Mir Gul Khan Naseer would publish the Urdu translations of his poetry in Nawa-e-Watan. In 1951, the first Balochi literary monthly Oman began to be published. Maulana Khair Muhammad Nadvi, the patron of Oman, shifted to Karachi and I met him with Mir Gul Khan Naseer.
The first literary union of Balochi language Balochi Zuban-e-Diwan was established in the same Standard Hotel. Gul Khan Naseer was elected as the president of Anjuman. This Anjuman published the first collection of Gul Khan Naseer’s poetry Gul Ban. In the same way, a book on modern Balochi literature was published and foundations of modern Balochi literature were laid down which began to develop.
It was in the Standard Hotel where the book of Mir Gul Khan Naseer History of Balochistan’s first volume was published. Hence, various aspects of Mir Gul Khan Naseer began to nourish in the times of Standard Hotel.
The popularity of Mir Gul Khan Naseer and his public popularity and journalistic and political engagements turned the attention of CID department towards him. For many days, the staff of CID would visit the Standard Hotel and visit the room. Many officers of CID would come to Standard Hotel to meet Mir Sahib on pretext of meeting him and would have discussions with him. Gul Naseer would express his views without any hesitation.
On the other hand, the class of Sardars became the arch enemy of the Mir Gul Khan Naseer and the reports against Mir Gul Khan Naseer on daily basis further turned the government’s attention towards Mir Sahib. And during this days, an interesting case was fabricated against Mir Sahib. He was alleged of being communist. Mir Sahib would go to the hearings most of the times. Gul Khan Naseer had to prove his innocence. The people sided with him greatly and he was acquitted. On account of the efforts of Gul Khan Naseer and his associates, many people got jobs in journalism field. They began their careers and today they have reached to high posts in their jobs.
A decisive turn had occurred in the life of Mir Gul Khan Naseer. On the one hand, his popularity was increasing in the masses and other the other hand, the propagators of Sardari system and the protectors of this outdated system had become apprehensive of him. Hence, Mir Gul Khan Naser had to spread light amongst the masses like a fire. Mir Gul Khan Naseer was shown the way of prizes, and comforts. If he had quit his principle, those all blessings would be brought to his feet. In other case, the chains and gallows had become his fate like Parami Thyus.
Mir Gul Khan Naseer remained determined and he took the same decision which Parami Thyus had given to the Rytus’ and Hormeez.
“I will not bargain my chains in return for life of slavery. It is better to be chained with mountains than to become the slave of Zeets.”
Hence, the life of Mir Gul Khan Naseer was sacrificed at the altar of chains which we know very well.