HYDERABAD: Speaker at the 17th death anniversary of folk singer Jiji Zarina Baloch organised by Qaumi Awami Tehreek on Tuesday said that Sindh today earnestly needed great mothers like her who had the courage to challenge dictatorship, tyranny, oppression and bad governance.

The Tehreek’s vice president Dr Aziz Talpur said at the programme that Zarina Baloch had resisted tyrants and dictators through her revolutionary and nationalistic songs. She had struggled against One Unit and military dictatorship, he said, adding she also challenged Gen Pervez Musharraf and participated in anti-Kalabagh dam campaign.

He said that she took part in a long march launched for fair distribution of water among provinces and protection of the resources of Sindh.

Sindhiani Tehreek’s president Zeenat Samoo said that Sindh needed more mothers like Jiji Zarina who had the courage to challenge dictatorship, tyranny, oppression and bad governance.

Altaf Khaskheli said that Jiji’s songs had given tongue to her son, Ayaz Latif Palijo, who grew up to become a forceful voice for the downtrodden of the province.

Palijo said in a written message that his mother was continuity of Umme Kulsoom who did not only sing songs but always remained ready to contribute to the struggle in other ways. Whenever she felt Sindh needed her she joined the struggle, he said.

He said that Zarina Baloch’s identity was not only song, literature, teaching and poetry but also resistance and struggle. She had led processions along with Ibrahim Joyo, Usman Diplai and others during anti-One Unit struggle, he said.

Earlier, Zeenat Samoon, Altaf Khaskheli and others laid wreaths on Jiji’s grave in a graveyard near Alamdgar chowk.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2022