Ayaz Latif Palijo
| Ayaz Latif Palijo | |
|---|---|
 Ayaz Latif Palijo Advocate Central President Awami Tahreek | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
15 November 1968 Hyderabad, Pakistan |
| Nationality | Pakistan |
| Political party | Qaumi Awami Tehreek |
| Relations | Sassui Palijo (niece) |
| Parents |
Rasul Bux Palejo (father) Jeejee Zarina Palijo (mother) |
| Residence | Qasimabad, Hyderabad, Pakistan |
| Alma mater |
Mehran University (Bachelor of Engineering) |
| Occupation | lawyer |
Ayaz Latif Palijo (Sindhi,Urdu: اياز لطیف پلیجو) (born 15 November 1968) is a Pakistani politician, lawyer, activist, writer and teacher. Palijo was born in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, to a Baloch mother, the women's rights activist, writer and artist Jeejee Zarina Baloch, and a South Asian leftist Sindhi father and founder of Awami Tahreek, Rasool Bux Palijo.[1]
Ayaz Latif Palijo is the President of Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement), central convener and founder of Sindh Progressive Nationalist Alliance (SPNA). Palijo is frequently guest speaker and consultant of several international forums and organisations including Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD), Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME), International Water History Association (IWHA), Centre for Peace and Social Justice, Southern Cross University, International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM), Asian Students Association (ASA), World Social Forum (WSF) and World Commission on Dams (WCD).
He was previously founding convener of Pakistan Network of Rivers Dams and People (PNRDP) Sindh, Resource Person of the National Commission on The Status of Women, Member Managing Committee Gymkhana Hyderabad, Technical Officer Oxfam Sindh, Legal Aid Coordinator of Swiss NGO Program Office, Legal Adviser Save The Children Fund, Engineer SAZDA and Editor Monthly Subuh Theendo. He is a LEAD fellow of cohort 7 and State Department alumni (2008).[1]
Early life
Ayaz Latif Palijo was born in Hyderabad Sindh. He attended Model School, Old-campus, Sindh University, Hyderabad. His parents are Rasool Bux Palijo and Zarina Baloch.
Under the guidance of his mother Zarina Baloch, he became fluent in Sindhi, Balochi and Urdu as a teenager, and later became conversant in English, Seraiki, Punjabi and Persian languages.[2]
Palijo is a graduate of Civil Engineering from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, and a graduate of law from Sindh University, Jamshoro, Pakistan. He has done his graduation in environment and development from LEAD Int. at University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Ayaz also possess MSc in Rural development from Sindh University (SU) and Wye College, United Kingdom. He secured 1st position in LL.M. across the whole of Sindh.
He founded Sujaag Bar Tahreek, Sindh Water Committee, Sindh Progressive Nationalist Alliance, Awami Lawyers Forum, Awami Khidmat Foundation, Awami Ilmi Adabi Forum, Awami Doctors and Engineers Forum and Sindhi Nojawan Tahreek. He has introduced a new nonviolent trend of democratic struggles in Sindh by way of Mohabbat-e-Sindh rallies and Long Marches.[1]
He is a well-known Sindhi leftist nationalist leader, active since 2007. His main contribution is to unite a large number of Sindhi nationalist and leftist activists under the banner of Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement) and SPNA. He escaped assassination attempt in May 2012.
Politics and Activism
Ayaz Latif Palijo entered activism and politics as central general secretary of Gulan Jahra Barira and Sujag Bar Tahreek (Children Wing of Awami Tahreek) in 1979–80 when he was in grade 8th. He led the student movement inspired by SST in Mehran University.
At present he has been practising as a leading constitutional lawyer of Sindh High Court, Hyderabad, Pakistan. He has been at the forefront of the lawyers' movement that culminated in the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, he offered court arrest after the imposition of emergency by General Pervez Musharraf and achieved fame as a supporter of the lawyers movement in 2007–2009.
Ayaz Latif Palijo is the president of Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement), central convener and founder of Sindh Progressive Nationalist Alliance (SPNA).[3][4] He is quoted to have said:
"Today Sindh is passing famine like situation. Conspiracies are being made for disintegration of Sindh and Pakistan. People are committing suicide and selling their children due man-made price hike, water-shortage, crimes and corruption. We'll die but we won't let Sindh be divided, How long the rulers embroil the people of Sindh in concocted stories? People are full of hatred and warmly contributing their part in struggle. Hugely participation of public and political groups irrespective of socio-political and religious affiliations proved that Sindh is united."
He also opposes the proposed Kalabagh Dam.[5]
May 2012 Karachi Mohajir Suba Na-manzoor rally
Awami Tehrik Party members and workers announced to hold a rally in Karachi from Lyari 'Mohajir Suba Na-manzoor' (Mohajir province unaccepatble) to protest against newly ignited issue of so-called Mohajir province.[6]
The 'Muhabat-e-Sindh' (Love of Sindh) rally as named by the leader Ayaz Palijo, was largely and equally attended by the number of women.[6]
The procession came under attack from unknown armed miscreants, when the procession reached the areas of Nawa Lane, Pan Mandi and Juna Market from the point of Lyari. 11 were killed and around 30 injured in the attack. Perpetrators are still unidentified. Ayaz Palijo held press-conference the very same evening and announced a peaceful strike in Sindh in protest of the recent incident. He also said that his party would stage a sit-in protest till the culprits behind the attack were caught.[6] Marvi Memon, Abdul Hai Baloch and many more were participant in the rally.[6]
Lyari rally 2012
On Saturday 14 July 2012 Ayaz Palijo the leader of Awami Tehreek announced to hold 'Shaheedan-e-Muhabbat-e-Sindh Jalsa' on Sunday 15 July at Gabol Park, Lyari. Palijo shown valor to join the rally "at all cost".[7]
Sindh Home Minister, immediately issued arrest warrant for Ayaz Palijo, before the scheduled rally.[7] The rally was to be first in two months, since Mohajir Suba Na-manzoor' (Mohajir province not acceptable)' peaceful and unarmed rally led by Ayaz Palijo – which came under attack and left several unarmed people dead.[8]
In his speech, Palijo said, "Nobody can stop us from entering Lyari and other parts of Karachi," He further said that over 500 workers, who were on their way to attend the rally, were arrested. Palijo disclosed before the media that his party had been receiving mobile text-messages from certain party – threatening the repeating of similar attack of May 2012.[9]
Palijo criticised the Sindh Government in his address to gathering – he said that 4,000 policemen were deployed by Sindh government to stop his rally and he added that section-144 was in place, as reminded by the authorities.[10]
2013 Pakistan general election
Ayaz Latif Palijo as Central President of Qomi Awami Tehreek contested the Pakistan general election of 2013, held on 11 May. Palijo stood from PS-47 Qasimabad, Hyderabad constituency. The result of election showed that Palijo had secured 14,901 votes, and stood 'runner-up'.[11]
Palijo challenged the election results in the Sindh High Court pleading for a re-election in the constituency. Ayaz Palijo, who was a candidate for PS-47 Hyderabad, complained about harassment of polling agents by certain parties.[12]
Palijo cited the Election Commission of Pakistan, Sindh Election Commission, district election commissioner, returning officer, regional director of NADRA and Shoro as respondents in the case.[12]
2014 Altaf's controversial statement and Ayaz's response
On 4 January, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain made a significant controversy all throughout the country and beyond, when he called for a separate province. The speech received condemnation specifically from PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto} and people of all walks of life. Palijo, on the other hand, demanded of an apology from Altaf, over his controversial statement – else the people of the Sindh, he confirmed, would hold shutter-down strike and protests across the Sindh province within next 48 hrs.[13]
On 6 Jan, soon, after Palijo's demand – MQM having been jolted by possibly what they underestimated the reaction over Altaf's speech, headed to the Palijo house in Hyderabad. The delegation led by Wasim Akhtar, from 'Raabta Committee' (an MQM wing) explained the nature of the speech and put forward, how the speech was misunderstood. Palijo called off the strike and protests after reaching a fair point with MQM delegation, in accordance with other party members present during the meeting.[14]
References
- 1 2 3 Affiliation, Party, Forums, Organization. "Palijo affiliation with organizations". Pakistan Herald. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ Books Llc (August 2010). Sindhi-Language Writers: Nabi Bux Khan Baloch, Ayaz Latif Palijo, Bashir Ahmed Qureshi, Fahmida Hussain,. General Books LLC. ISBN 978-1-153-61526-6. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ↑ "Ayaz Palijo briefly detained in Hyderabad | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ↑ "Election campaigns of nationalist parties safe and sound". Thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ↑ "Kalabagh Dam Political". Sanalist.org. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Rally, Ayaz Palijo. "Palijo under attack". Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- 1 2 Palijo, Ayaz. "July 2012 rally – Arrest Warrant". Karachi: Samaa Tv. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ 2012, Rally Against Sooba (province). "May 2012 Rally". Express Tribune. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ Reaction, Palijo. "Palijo Address". Dawn. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ Policemen, 4000. "Section-144". Awaz Today. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ general election, 11 May Pakistan. "Ayaz Palijo contestant for 2013 general election". Election Commission of Pakistan. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- 1 2 Challenged, Election Result. "Palijo pleads for re-election in his constituency". Express Tribune. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ Palijo, Ayaz (4 January 2014). "Altaf Hussain's speech condemned by Pakistani civilians, politicians, lawyers, intelliactuals". The Nation. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ House, Ayaz Palijo (6 January 2014). "MQM heads to Palijo house". Geo. Retrieved 14 January 2014.