Nationalist leader, prominent writer Salik passes away

Rafiullah Mandokhail

ZHOB: Pashtoon nationalist leader, former provincial president Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party and Editor-in-Chief Daily ‘Kohistan’ Muhammad Jan Salik Mandokhail passed away in provincial capital Quetta after a protracted illness. He was 76.

Veteran politician was laid to rest in his ancestral village Naway Oba Zhob. Member provincial assembly Hamid Khan Achakzai, Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, Ubaidullah Jan Babat, Ex-Senator Raza Muhammad Raza, Nasrullah Zerai, Rauf Lala, Haji Jamal Shah Kakar, Malik Naseem Kasi, Essa Roshan, Niamt Jalazai, Shams Hamzazai, Qayyum advocate, Sultan Sherani, Aziz advocate, hundreds of relatives, party workers, tribal and political leaders attended the funeral prayers offered in No.1 ground, and had the last glimpses of the soft-spoken leader.

Rich tributes were paid to the seasoned politician in recognition of his struggle to uphold democracy and for the rights of Pashtoons across the country.

“Neither he compromised on principles nor accepted perks and privileges to change his stance. His significant contribution to the cause of dismantling dictatorship will be remembered,” a Pk-MAP press release stated.

Muhammad Jan Salik Mandokhail was born in 1942 in Toora Darga village – in the north of Zhob city. He was among one of the prominent figures of Pashtoon nationalist movement alongside Khan Shaheed Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai, Abul Rahim Mandokhail and Sain Kamal Khan Ulasmal Sherani.

Salik had been suffering from kidney ailment for couple of years and had remained under treatment. He was admitted to Kidney hospital in Quetta but could not survive. The deceased body was transported to his hometown from Quetta on Friday.

Political parties including Pk-MAP and Awami National Party have expressed their shock and grief over the demise of veteran leader. The deceased is survived by a wife, six sons and three daughters.