HYDERABAD: A pall of gloom hung over Tharparkar district where a local holiday was observed on Friday to mourn the death of folk-cum-mystic singer Sadiq Faqir, who died in a road accident in Makkah on Thursday.

Faqir, 50, alongwith his family had proceeded to Saudi Arabia for Umrah on Feb 24. He was killed while his wife, Shamim, sons, Nazakat, Rahat Ali and Raza Ali, daughter, Uzma, and brother-in-law, Sultan, were injured when the van they were travelling in was hit by another vehicle. The condition of Shamim is stated to be serious.

Born in Diplo, Faqir got his primary education in his hometown before his family migrated to Mithi. He was awarded the prestigious Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Award for music. He had done his Masters in physical education and Sindhi literature.

He was one of the most acclaimed singers from Sindh.

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, MNA Faqir Sher Mohammad Bilalani, minister Dost Ali Rahimoon, MPA Mahesh Kumar Malani, former chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Arbab Anwar, Sindhi Adabi Sangat leader Mushtaq Phul, PML-N leader Khiyal Das Kohistani, Zahida Detho, Sanam Marvi, Imtiaz Shah and others have condoled his death.

Nationalist leaders including Abdul Wahid Arisar, Ayaz Latif Palijo and Dr Qadir Magsi had announced a mourning day observed on Friday. Tharparkar PPP and SAS have also announced a three-day mourning.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2015

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