KARACHI, Nov 30: Veteran activist and writer Ali Ahmad Brohi, 83, died on Sunday at the Aga Khan University Hospital after a protracted illness. He is survived by his wife, two sons, four daughters and a number of grandchildren.
He had been rushed to the hospital on Eid day following severe pain in his lungs. At the hospital he suffered a heart attack, from which he could not recover.
The funeral prayer was offered at the mosque adjacent to the shrine of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi on Sunday after Maghrib prayers. He was laid to rest within the limits of the shrine.
Mr Brohi, the younger brother of former law minister of Pakistan A.K. Brohi, started his career in the Royal Navy before independence. In the Second World War when there was a mutiny, he was arrested and court martialled.
After independence, he started his career afresh with a private service. He joined journalism and later joined Sindh Information Department where he served in different capacities.
He served as a director-general of tourism in the West Pakistan government and after the dismemberment of ‘One Unit’ he was repatriated to his parent province Sindh in 1969, where he rose to the office of information secretary.
Mr Brohi retired from this office in 1980. After retirement, he was appointed administrator of the Shaikh Sultan Trust and managed the publication of Sindhi newspaper Hilal-i-Pakistan.
Later, the newspaper was privatized and handed over to its employees, creating a history of sorts.
Mr Brohi, known for satire, wrote profusely and contributed articles and columns to various newspapers. His favourite theme was society and the changes taking place within it.
He was acknowledged as an eminent writer. He authored many books on wide-ranging subjects, including culture and heritage of Sindh. His books Jam, Jamote and Jamra, and History on Sandstones are very popular works about the eminent social and political figures of Sindh. He extensively researched on Watayo Faqir, a legendary figure of the province.
His literary writings started appearing in the Sindhi magazines and newspapers during the early 1950s. His columns had punch and satire in good measure which earned him eminence in Sindhi literature.
He was also active in politics. He was impressed with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s struggle for the rights of Sindh’s people and joined it in 2001. He was made a member of Muttahida’s Rabita Committee and also served as member of its Research and advisory Council.
Meanwhile, Governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Sardar Ali Muhammad Mahar have offered their heartfelt condolences and paid rich tributes to Mr Brohi for his literary pursuits. In their separate statements they said in his death Sindh had lost a noted intellectual and writer.
Founder and leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, has also paid tributes to him. His long association with Muttahida would not be forgotten, he said. Mr Hussain conveyed his sympathies to his family members.