Ayaz Latif Palijo (Sindhi, Urdu: اياز لطیف پلیجو; born 15 November 1968) is a politician, lawyer, activist, writer and teacher. Palijo is the current president of Qomi Awami Tahreek (Peoples National Movement), central convener and founder of the Sindh Progressive Nationalist Alliance (SPNA), one of the founders and central Secretary General of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA).[1] Since 2007, he has represented the left, objecting to the division of the southeastern Pakistan province of Sindh.
Ayaz Latif Palijo | |
|---|---|
 Palejo in 2011 | |
| President of the Qaumi Awami Tahreek | |
| Assumed office 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Rasul Bux Palejo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 November 1968 Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan |
| Political party | Qaumi Awami Tahreek |
| Relations | Sassui Palijo (cousin) |
| Parent(s) | Rasul Bux Palejo (father) Jeejee Zarina Palijo (mother) |
| Residence(s) | Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan |
| Occupation | lawyer |
Early life and education
editPalijo's mother Jeejee Zarina Baloch was a Baloch women's rights activist, founder of Sindhiani Tahreek, writer, artist and teacher. His father Rasool Bux Palijo, was a Sindhi leftist, scholar, writer and founder of Awami Tahreek.[2]
Palijo received a LEAD (leadership for environment and development) training in the seventh cohort.[2]
Political activism
editPalijo is the president of Qomi Awami Tahreek (QAT) of Pakistan (Peoples National Movement of Pakistan) he was central convener and founder of the Sindh Progressive Nationalist Alliance (SPANA) and is founder and central Secretary General of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA).[3][4]
Kalabagh Dam
editHis party manifesto is based on objectives of Social justice, peace, equality, and provincial autonomy in prospering Sindh and progressive Pakistan. Ayaz Latif Palijo and QAT are strongly against the corruption, feudalism, forced conversion, terrorism and construction of Kalabagh Dam.[5]
Karachi Muhabat-e-Sindh (Love of Sindh) rally and Train March
editIn May 2012, Qomi Awami Tehrik (QAT) Party members and workers organised a Muhabat-e-Sindh (Love of Sindh) rally in Karachi against the formation of the foreign-sponsored Mohajir province. In the continuity of several Mohabbat-e-Sindh Rallies in all the districts of Sindh including Karachi, Ayaz Latif Palijo led a 03 days Mohabbat-e-Sindh Train March, which started from Karachi with the message of harmony and love for all the people of Pakistan, the march received a warm welcome at every railway station and ended with a mammoth sit-in in front of parliament house Islamabad.[6]
Muhabat-e-Sindh rally attacked by terrorists
editIn 2012, women were able to attend Muhabat-e-Sindh (Love of Sindh) rally in equal numbers to men.[6] The marchers were attacked near Nawa Lane, Pan Mandi and Juna Market. Eleven people were killed and about thirty were injured. Palijo announced to the press a peaceful strike in Sindh to highlight the incident and said his party would stage a sit-in protest till the attackers were apprehended. Ayaz Latif Palijo declared that all the permanent residents of Sindh including Urdu-speaking Sindhis are our brothers and that they should unite for the betterment of Sindh and for unity, development and peace in Pakistan.[6]
Lyari rally
editOn Saturday, 14 July 2012, two months after the Muhabat-e-Sindh Rally, Palijo announced that a Shaheedan-e-Muhabbat-e-Sindh Jalsa would take place on Sunday, 15 July at Gabol Park, Lyari. In his speech, Palijo said, "Nobody can stop us from entering Lyari and other parts of Karachi." Palijo criticised the Sindh Government, saying that 4000 policemen were deployed by the Sindh government to stop his rally.[7] After the announcement, the Sindh home minister ordered Palijo's arrest and Palijo received threats of attacks.[8][9][10]
2013 Pakistan general election
editOn 11 May 2013, a general election took place. Palijo was a candidate for PS-47 Qasimabad, Hyderabad constituency. Palijo lost the contest with 14,901 votes.[11] Palijo challenged the result in the Sindh High Court and asked for a re-election. He claimed his agents at the polling booths had been harassed.[12]
Disagreement with M. Q. M.
editOn 4 January 2014, Altaf Hussain and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (M.Q.M.) called for a separate province. Palijo disagreed and threatened strikes and protests.[13] Two days later the M.Q.M sent a delegation under Wasim Akhtar and Kunwar Naveed to discuss the matter with Ayaz Latif Palijo and explained to him that they don't want the division of Sindh or a separate province, they just want powers for local government in Karachi. Palijo called off the strikes and protests.[14]
References
edit- ^ "GDA leader urges SC to address islands issue". The Express Tribune. 7 November 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Palijo affiliation with organizations". Pakistan Herald. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 6 November 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. Archived from the original on 26 May 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ^ "Kalabagh Dam is a death warrant for Sindh". tribune.com.pk. Express Tribune. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ a b c "Palijo under attack". Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ "Section-144". Awaz Today. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ "July 2012 rally – Arrest Warrant". Karachi: Samaa Tv. Archived from the original on 6 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ Rally Against Sooba (province) (22 May 2012). "May 2012 Rally". Express Tribune. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ "Palijo swears vengeance on attackers of Sindh Love Rally". The Nation (newspaper). Archived from the original on 31 March 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ "Ayaz Palijo contestant for 2013 general election". Election Commission of Pakistan. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ "Palijo pleads for re-election in his constituency". Express Tribune. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ "Altaf Hussain's speech condemned by Pakistani civilians, politicians, lawyers, intelliactuals". The Nation. 4 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ^ "MQM heads to Palijo house". Geo. 6 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.