Saba Dashtyari

Saba Dashtyari
Born 1953
Karachi, Pakistan
Died June 1, 2011(2011-06-01)
Quetta, Pakistan
Residence Quetta, Balochistan
Occupation Professor of Islamic studies
Religion Sunni Muslim
Academic work

Ghulam Hussain Saba Dashtyari (1954 – 1 June 2011) (Balochi: صبا دشتیاری بلوچ) commonly known as "Saba Dashtyari", was a professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Balochistan in Quetta, Balochistan.[1]

Born in 1953 in Lyari district of Karachi, Pakistan in a lower-middle-class family, Dashtiyari taught Islamic studies at the University of Balochistan, Quetta and was respected as a leading Balochi language writer and intellectual whose literary works appeared in leading journals and magazines. He had authored several books and laid the foundation of a premier Balochi language academy in Karachi. Saba held a master's degree in Philosophy and Islamic Studies and taught theology. He was fluent in many languages including English, Urdu, Persian and Arabic.

Literary career

His literary contributions include more than 24 books on Balochi literature, history, poetry and translations. He also established the Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi reference library, World’s largest library on Balochi literature, in Malir area of Karachi. He funded this library with his own salary.

The library houses more than 150,000 books in various languages on Balochi literature, culture and civilization. Furthermore, he also compiled an index and bibliography of Balochi literature published in the past 50 years.

He was working on compiling an encyclopedia in the Balochi language. One of his last projects before his assassination was the proof reading of the complete collection of Balochi poems by Mir Gul Khan Nasir. This project was completed and the book was published just a few weeks before his assassination.

Publications

1. Falsafa-e-Islam o Younaan (1985)
2. Gulkaar o Chakankaar (1990)
3. Mutaaleh-e-Falsafa (1993)
4. Houn Houshaam (1994)
5. Balochi Zubaan an Aakibat (volume 1) (1995)
6. Gungodaame'n Sarzameen (1996)
7. Balochi Zubaan an Aakibat (volume 2) (1998)
8. Angare'n Waahag (1999)
9. Tranagaani Bunzeh (2001)
10. Be Tawaari a Darya (2002)
11. Aas o Aasaib (2006)
12. Balochi Zubaan o Labzaank(Index Research) (3 Volumes Published)

Work

Dashtyari giving lecture during a programme.

Prof. Dashtyari was a teacher of Islamic Studies at the Balochistan University and frequently shuttled between Karachi and Quetta.

His literary contributions include more than 24 books on Balochi literature, history, poetry and translations. He also established the Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi reference library, Pakistan's largest library on Balochi literature, in Malir area of Karachi.

The library houses more than 150,000 books in various languages on Balochi literature, culture and civilisation. Furthermore, he also compiled an index and bibliography of Balochi literature published in the past 50 years.[2]

Balochistan conflict

Following year 2010, professor Saba Dashtyari actively participated in BSO Aazaad's rallies and speeches and clearly supported the independence of Balochistan in his speeches. On May 1, 2011 while he was addressing BSO Aazaad's rally he pointed out Pakistan Army as well as Frontier Corps for running parallel government in Balochistan as well accused them of all of the killings which started from June 2010. He also clearly mentioned current Inspector General of Frontier Corps Maj Gen Obaidullah Khan Khattak for kidnapping Baloch youth and Intellects and throwing there bullet riddled bodies in outskirts of cities of Balochistan. He has always criticized the role of Pakistani media for not showing the activities of the Pakistani Army in Balochistan.[3]

Death

On Wednesday June 1, 2011, Prof. Saba Dashtyari was badly wounded when alleged personnel of Pakistani intelligence agencies opened fire on him when he was going on his evening walk at Sariab road, Quetta after teaching his evening Balochi Class in University of Balochistan. He was rushed to the hospital but could not survive due to severe injuries.[4][5] In his last speech Professor Saba bluntly spoke about Pakistan Army's atrocities and suppression against Baloch separatist movement.[6]

References

References

  1. https://balochilinguist.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/professor-saba-dashtyari-mostly-known-for-his-contribution-to-progressive-balochi-language-and-literature/
  2. http://www.dawn.com/news/633370/baloch-scholar-shot-dead-in-quetta
  3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/2011/06/110602_dashtiyari_profile_ha.shtml
  4. http://www.dawn.com/news/633370/baloch-scholar-shot-dead-in-quetta
  5. "Pakistan Military death squad target killed professor Saba Dashtyari Baloch - News - News". Balochwarna. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  6. "Baloch Community - Sweden". Baloch-community-sweden.blogspot.com. 2011-09-08. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
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