Siddique Baloch remembered on 2nd death anniversary

He was known to raise a ‘voice of the voiceless people of Balochistan’

QUETTA: A ceremony was organised at Quetta Press Club on Thursday to pay tribute to veteran journalist Siddique Baloch on his second death anniversary.

Former CM and Chief of Sarawan Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani called the late journalist a ‘voice of the voiceless people of Balochistan’ adding that Baloch fought for the rights of the province’s people throughout his career.

“As far as I have personally known Baloch, he believed in investigative journalism. Whenever we sat together, we both discussed provincial, national and international affairs,” said Raisani while addressing the ceremony.

“Baloch never hesitated from raising the voice of the people of Balochistan regardless of all odds,” he continued, adding that the veteran journalist raised awareness among people through his articles.

A symbol of resistance: Veteran journalist Siddiq Baloch laid to rest

Calling Baloch as one of his teachers and a mentor, Raisani added that he learned political skills from him along with Nawab Ghaus Baksh Bizenjo and Nawab Ghaus Baksh Raisani.

Sharing views on the overall situation in the province and the country, the former CM said development work had been completely halted in Balochistan while the provincial government was deliberately postponing provision of government jobs.

Paying tribute to Baloch, opposition member and BNP-M leader Sanaullah Baloch said the veteran journalist remained outspoken about the plight of the poor and added that he had written numerous articles over province’s faltering education, health, political and social problems.

“Baloch has prepared a brigade of intellectuals and journalists in Balochistan which keeps him alive amongst us,” Sanaullah said, urging the government to declare 6th February as the Siddique Baloch Day in Balochistan.

Addressing the condolence reference, President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Shahzad Zulfiqar said Baloch served as a distinguished journalist and a political worker who was ideologically connected with Baba-e-Balochistan Nawab Ghaus Baksh Bizenjo.

“All his life, Baloch strived to draw attention of the federal government through his writings. He raised Balochistan’s social, educational, health, cultural, economic and political issues through his articles,” Zulfiqar said as he stressed upon young journalists to pursue steps of Siddique Baloch’s investigative journalism.

The caretaker President of Quetta Press Club Abdul Khaliq Rind, on the occasion, said Baloch had taught journalists to move forward by defeating all hurdles. He emphasised on taking his legacy forward.

Flag-bearer of truth: Siddique Baloch’s 2nd death anniversary to be observed today

Senior Journalist Kazim Mengal termed Baloch a brave Journalist of Balochistan and added that despite many obstacles he continued writing for his people.

Sharing his thoughts on the second death anniversary, youngest son of the veteran journalist said his father had envisioned a digital website of his newspapers - Daily Azadi and Daily Balochistan Express - to meet the demands of digital journalism in today’s world.

“Following his will, we have launched a Youtube Channel for Daily Azadi and Daily Balochistan Express’ through which we will highlight the issues faced by the people of Balochistan,” he said.

Raisani and Sanaullah Baloch inaugurated the official Youtube Channel of Daily Azadi and Daily Balochistan Express on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2020.