HYDERABAD: Azhar Jatoi, chief of Sindh Hari Committee and grandson of Comrade Hyder Bux Jatoi — lovingly called Baba-i-Sindh by his admirers — died here on Wednesday due to cardiac arrest. He was 58.

He was laid to rest in Kalhoro Colony near Hyder Bux Jatoi’s grave. He had undergone kidney transplant 12 years back and also suffered from diabetes and hypertension, said family sources.

Jatoi led the Sindh Hari Committee till his death to the best of his abilities and tried to emulate his grandfather, raising voice for the downtrodden and haris at all forums.

Jatoi remained associated with Anti Greater Thal Action and Kalabagh Dam Action Committee as well as Ponam, a now largely dormant conglomerate of various nationalist political parties.

He actively participated in protests against dual local government system introduced by PPP government in Sindh in 2012.

Born in Hyderabad on Feb 18, 1960, he got his education up till graduation in Hyderabad and joined hari struggle in 1982.

He contested election in 2008 for a provincial assembly seat in Dokri but lost. He also wrote columns in Sindhi newspapers and compiled a book on Hyder Bux Jatoi titled Baba-i-Sindh.­­

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2020