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| digital copy of Karachi City resolution regarding land rights and marker drawing by Liz Peterson Original Images: Citizens of Pakistan |
Nisar Baloch was a teacher who once offered free computer classes to young people in Karachi. Baloch was also an environmentalist and human rights activist who was very vocal in efforts to protect the Gutter Baghicha. Gutter Baghicha is an area of the city of Karachi that was supposed to be set aside for the public amenities and creation of a National Park, but had been encroached upon by various ehnic groups with the aid of corrupt government since the 1950s. Baloch was particularly adamant that land being developed within the acreage set aside for the National Park be returned to the public. These houses were being constructed on what Baloch deemed illegal and phony city ordinances in which development proceeded with the aid of armed officers on site. Under the organization of the NGO Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment, Baloch fought against these advances in spite of arrests and threats. During a press conference the day before his death, Baloch stated he feared he might be murdered by Izhar Uddin, a local city official.
In 2009, Nisar Baloch was shot and killed by a man on a motorbike. A year later, the activist who replaced his position with CBE, Nadir Baloch, was also shot. Neither of the murders have been investigated fully or prosecuted. Nisar Baloch was married and had one adopted child.
Sources:
Tribute to Nisar Baloch
Suggestions for Land Use of Gutter Baghicha by the Citizens for a Better Environment
Who was Nisar Baloch?
Events Leading to the Murder of Nisar Baloch - A Shehri Activist
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