Grand political career of Bashir Qureshi, Sindh’s most influential nationalist leader finally comes to an end at an age of 54 with a cardiac arrest late night on Friday in Sakrand, Nawabshah. His funeral prayer is offered today evening and was laid to rest in Mubarak Shah graveyard in Ratodero, his hometown.
The sudden death of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) leader has stunned many and believed by some as unbelievable that resulted in carrying out an autopsy of their leader creating suspicion across the country.
Grief and sorrow was spread all over the scene when he was being laid down in his grave by his followers and party workers, thousands of people attended the funeral prayers, expressing their love and long lasting support to the leader.
Bashir Ahmed Qureshi, the son of Ghulam Murtaza Qureshi made his way to this mortal world on 10 August 1957 at Motan Pur Mohalla in Ratodero, Larkano District in Sindh. He got his early education from his hometown’s school and college then enrolled in Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam in the year 1976, from where he got rusticated in 1981for about one year.
He jumped into the politics at a very early age, Qureshi was highly influenced by Saeen GM Syed’s message and worked untiringly for the spread of his message. He joined Jeay Sindh Students Federation in the year 1976.
He was elected as President of the Federation Tando Jam Unit in the year 1980 but after two years (1982) was elected as Central Vice President of the Federation.
In 1995, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz was formed and he was elected as Deputy Convener of the party despite of being held behind the bars. Bashir was later elected as Secretary General of the party in 1996 and the chairman in 1998. Mahaz’s leader was against the electoral politics because he knew that the bogus elections in the country are just a shiny object, and everything that shines is not gold.
He also wrote a book in Sindhi language entitled “Jaagya Junge Jawaan” which was published in 1989. The book was a collection of various speeches delivered by him.
He was regarded as the most powerful Sindhi Nationalist leader after Saeen GM Syed by analysts because of his out bursting, blunt and courageous political campaign throughout his life. He spent 6 years and 10 months in the prison. Qureshi was awarded “G. M. Syed National Award” in the year 1997.
Recently he held a political gathering at Tibet Center in Karachi, where he categorically demanded an Independent Sindh State and addressed out busted against Pakistan. According to his critics, anti-Pakistan sentiments of Bashir stopped him of becoming a National leader and if he would have not strong Anti Pakistani leader than there was no hurdle in front of him to become A National Leader.