Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
Baloch nationalist leader Khair Bakhsh Marri passes away
KARACHI: Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, a veteran Baloch nationalist leader has passed away in Karachi after a protracted illness for which he was admitted to a local hospital in critical condition last week, DawnNews reported late on Tuesday night.
The 86-year-old was being treated at Liaquat National Hospital’s intensive care unit where he had been unconscious for the last few days.
Marri, born in 1928, was a leader of Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) – a proscribed Baloch separatist organisation – and was one of the key leaders of the 1970’s insurgency in Balochistan.
He had returned to Pakistan after the fall of the left-wing government in Kabul after spending several years there in exile.
He had six sons including Balach Marri, Jangaiz Marri, Hyrbyiar Marri, Gazain Marri, Hamza Marri and Mehran Marri.
Khair Bakhsh Marri’s eldest son, Nawab Balach Marri was allegedly killed by Nato forces in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border in 2007.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari among other political leaders expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of the veteran Baloch leader.
In condolence message to the family of Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, they paid rich tributes for his contribution in the national politics and rights of Baloch people.
Reactions on social media
Comments (22) Closed
BLA leader died in Karachi hospital?
At least he was not in the list of missing Balochis...
So paying tribute to a guy who fought against the state... and the sons carrying on the family legacy.
A brave and honest person. May Allah forgive him and grant him peace
It is a tradition that upon the death of a Muslim we should offer fateha and pray for the dead person rather than picking up at him as some of my brothers are seen doing here. RIP
We all offer our condolences to the Marri family.
@Jamal - But some will be missing him forever now!
We are Muslims and therefore we must pay our respect to the departed. As a Pakistani I must pay my respect to a great leader of the Baloch nation. We must show decency and empathy with his tribe and family and friends and ask Allah for his help. May Allah forgive our tresspasses and against each other. Let his death be honored with peace and justice for he was a fighter and deserved it.
Nawab Khair bux Marri was great nationalist Marxist leader of Baluchistan and he never formally held any designation of Baluch mlitant groups who are fighting in Baluchistan for independence like BLA but his ideas and politics were source of inspiration for Baluch youth.
@Imran Marri House, one of his residences, is also in Karachi.
Good riddance. Now can we please stop giving media space to that traitor Husain Haqqani?
Inalillah-e- waina aleahe rajehoon may Allah give place in Jannat and give strength and courage to family to bear his loss Ameen
@Sika
Why bangalis, balochs and now pashtoons have to fight with the state of Pakistan? What do you think needs to be done?
Sad news.
His veteran contour should always be remembered as indefensible personality and Of course society honours alive conformists and dead troublemakers.But he unfortunately remained unable to induce spirit of patriotism in his siblings.May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace
@Sika There are many more who apposed the creation of Pakistan, carried out terrorism in Pakistan and supported terrorists by declaring them stakeholders so did anyone raise voice against those political and religious leaders and if not then why against this Baloch leader
Great man ,lived up to his principles. People like Mirri, Ghaffar Khan don't die they leave a permanent foot print in history.
@Jamal Firstly the word is Baloch n not Balochi. Secondly, a person who cannot feel the pain of families whose members are missing cannot be called a human. This guy was fighting for the rights of his people which makes him a hero not only for his own nation but for all who believe in basic human rights.
@Mustafa
Excuse me, but I am also a Pakhtun and our loyalties to Pakistan can NEVER be shaken
So these leaders are mourning death of somebody who worked to break Pakistan? Have they sold their souls?
@Sika - I don't think its an obituary...its news!
useless man who did nothing to improve the lot of his people.