Rich tribute paid to Balochi poet Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi

Published April 23, 2026
A bust of Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi, sculpted by Iranian Hassan Yadgarzadeh, unveiled in the port city of Gwadar, Balochistan in 2019 | Behram Baloch
A bust of Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi, sculpted by Iranian Hassan Yadgarzadeh, unveiled in the port city of Gwadar, Balochistan in 2019 | Behram Baloch

GWADAR: National Party President Dr Malik Baloch and other speakers paid rich tribute to Balochi poet Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi and said his poetry and other works in Balochi literature provide guidance to the youth of Balochistan.

Speaking at an event to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the Balochi poet, the speakers said that Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi was an institution in himself.

They said Hashmi remained committed throughout his life to the promotion and development of the Balochi language. In addition to being a poet, they said, he was also a linguist, with command over Balochi, Urdu, Arabic, English and Persian languages.

The anniversary event was organised by Syed Hashmi Academy in collaboration with RCD Council in Gwadar.

A large number of students, poets, intellectuals, political leaders and people from Karachi, Makran and Iran attended the event. The two-day event featured book launches, a tree-plantation campaign, a photo exhibition, and a vibrant performance by the RSI band.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2026

Opinion

Editorial

JAAC ban
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

JAAC ban

Though the JAAC’s demands are open to scrutiny, banning any political organisation — as long as it remains committed to peaceful activism — is undemocratic.
GB election
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

GB election

It is important that whichever party ultimately forms the government puts the needs of the people of GB above everything else.
ODI win
07 Jun, 2026

ODI win

AT last, the Pakistan cricket team had something to celebrate: a One-day International series victory against...
Trump rebuked
Updated 06 Jun, 2026

Trump rebuked

OBSERVERS across the world have long questioned the utility of Donald Trump’s now three-month-old war on Iran. But...
Hostile water motives
06 Jun, 2026

Hostile water motives

INDIA’S latest move to advance the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel Project and its plan to flush silt from the Salal Dam...
Polio progress
06 Jun, 2026

Polio progress

PAKISTAN’S latest sub-national polio campaign offers encouraging evidence that the country can still push back...