KARACHI – Eminent scholar, educationist and historian Dr Nabi Bux Khan Baloch passed away on Wednesday morning.
He was taken to a hospital following cardiac arrest where he breathed his last.
Having complete command on Sindhi, Persian, Arabic, Urdu and English, Dr Baloch produced excellent work in Sindhi folk literature, history, art, anthropology and poetry.
His death comes as a major loss to Sindhi language. “Dr Baloch’s work is unmatched. Sindh will never forget him,” Sindhi scholar Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo told Pakistan Today.
Prominent journalist Nazir Leghari shared similar views about the deceased scholar. “His work will always guide Pakistan’s coming generation, especially in Sindh. Dr Baloch was not a person, but an institution,” he said.
Karachi Art Council President said that Dr Baloch will always be remembered as a champion of history, literature and research.
Prominent writer Ziab Sindhi has said that Dr Baloch has left a treasure of research and folk literature. “Every generation will benefit from his work,” he said.
Dr Baloch has left behind five sons, three daughters and many grandsons and granddaughters. He was laid to rest inside the mausoleum of great scholar Allama II Kazi at the Sindh University Jamshoro Campus and his funeral prayer was held at the Sindhi Muslim Society, Qasimabad.
Dr Baloch was born on December 16, 1917 in Jaffar Khan Leghari village, taluka Sinjhoro of Sanghar district.
After completing primary education, he completed BE Honours from the Bombay University with the First-Class third position in 1941. He finished MA and LLB from Sir Syed University Aligarh with first division and first position, respectively, in 1943 and MA Education from University of Colombia New York of United States in 1947 and he also obtained a doctorate degree from the same university.
He served as professor of education the University of Sindh Jamshoro and director of the Institute of Education and Research from 1951 to 1976 and he also performed as the vice chancellor of the University of Sindh from 1973 to 1976.
Later, he discharged his responsibility as the vice chancellor of the International Islamic University from November 1980 to August 1982.
In 1993, he represented the Sindh cabinet as caretaker minister for education, agriculture and wildlife.
Dr Baloch also served as the chairman of the Sindhi Language Authority till 1993.
He served as the chairman of the National Commission for Historical and Cultural Research for a period of three months. He served as its director when the commission was converted into the Institute of Islamic History, Culture and Civilization.
Dr Baloch also served as the chairman of the Vice Chancellors Committee of Pakistan.
In the year 1991, he received the President’s Award ‘Aizaz-e-Kamal’ and in 2001, he was honoured with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.
The literary circle of Sindh has announced a seven-day mourning on Dr Baloch’s demise and the management of the University of Sindh has suspended academic and administrative activities.
