The people of Balochistan have loyally served the country as politicians, journalists, educationists and members of the judiciary. Even though the province has suffered neglect and efforts of the local community to further the national interests and narratives have frequently been disregarded, supporting collective growth remains a priority for most of its people. The discriminatory treatment and the mis-labelling continue to alienate some people and to cause them to challenge the state’s writ.

Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, who passed away at the age of 95 in Quetta on June 26, was one a prominent citizen who served Pakistan with much diligence. The eminent contributor bid farewell to this worldly abode after a protracted illness.

Khoso was born on September 30, 1929, in the remote village of Azam Khan in the Jaffarabad district, one of the least developed areas in Balochistan. Little information is available regarding his early education. He graduated from Sindh University in 1954. He received his law degree from the University of Karachi in 1956.

Mir Khoso was a man of many talents. He rose to prominence as an expert lawyer and seasoned politician.

He began working as a professional lawyer in 1959 by advocating at the High Court of West Pakistan’s Karachi Bench. Khoso was appointed a temporary judge of the Balochistan High Court on June 29, 1977, under the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto government. In December 1989, he rose to the rank of the chief justice of the Balochistan High Court. Khoso twice served as acting governor of the province in 1990 and 1991.

Based on his extensive experience in the judiciary, he was appointed a judge of the Federal Shariat Court in 1991 and later chief justice of the court in the same year.

Mir Hazar Khan Khoso had the honour of serving the country as caretaker premier in 2013. He is one of the two politicians from Balochistan who had the privilege of holding top office. The other was Mir Zafarullah Jamali, who served this country under the Musharraf regime.

Mir Hazar Khan Khoso had the honour of serving the country as the caretaker premier in 2013. He is one of the two politicians from Balochistan who had the privilege of holding the top office. The other was Mir Zafarullah Jamali, who served this country under the Musharraf regime.

In 2013, after the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and the parliamentary committee failed to reach a consensus and select a caretaker premier after days of discussion, the matter was referred to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The commission decided to name Khoso.

On assuming the office, Khosa vowed to uphold transparency and impartiality in the 2013 general elections.

Although his family had close ties with the Pakistan Peoples Party, Khoso supported Mir Zahoor Khan Khoso of the Jamoori Watan Party (JWP), who later left the party and joined the PML-N in 2013.

Mir Hazar Khan Khoso was a man of principle. He had a humble temperament that made him popular with people.

According to his will, the late premier was laid to rest on the premises of Pir Katbar Sharif’s shrine in Sibi.

The funeral prayers were attended by a large number of people from all walks of life including tribal leaders and members of the local administration.

Khoso is survived by three sons: Mir Shafaqat Khoso, Mir Barakat Khoso and Mir Amjad Khan Khoso, who has recently joined the ruling party, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

The writer is a lecturer at Government Degree College, Zhob, and a freelance   columnist.  He can be reached at     hussainhunarmal@gmail.com