Anwar Pirzada

Anwar Pirzada was a Pakistani journalist, columnist, writer and expert on Sindhi history, language and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai's poetry. He was born on 25 January 1939 at village Haji Lal Bux Shaikh, near Mohen Jo Daro, district Larkana. He received his early education in the primary school of his village and passed matriculation from Government High School Dokri. He earned a degree of Master of Arts in English literature in 1969 from University of Sindh, Jamshoro. He started his career as a primary school teacher in 1963 and served in various schools till 1968. He also continued his education. In 1969, he was appointed as a lecturer in English department of Sindh University. In 1970 he was selected as pilot officer in Pakistan Airforce. He completed his six months training, however, he was arrested and jailed because of his opposition to operation in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). He was released from jail after seven months and joined daily Hilal-e-Pakistan as a sub editor. In 1975, he was appointed as an editor of the English Buletin published by the Russian Embassy of Pakistan. This Buletin ceased publication in 1980. He then joined English daily Dawn as its representative of Larkana and daily The Star as a Bureau Chief. He was jailed for six months for writing number of columns against the Marshal law Government in Pakistan during the Movement of Restoration of Democracy (M.R.D.). He was also associated with many other dailies including Awami Awaz, Jaago, Sindh Sujag, Barsaat, Sindh Tribune and Sach. He wrote more than 40 books on various subjects, ranging from literature to politics, culture and poetry. He was also a poet and a critic of Sindhi literature. He was a member of the Progressive Writers' Movement and a follower of Marxism. He was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the nation's second highest civilian award, in 2009. He died on 7 January 2007 in Karachi. He had three sons and one daughter. He was buried in his native town of Haji Lal Bux Shaikh. He is regarded as a national hero and a legend in Sindh.