The Costal Courier

It was December 2022, and the snow-capped mountains of Quetta signalled the arrival of the winter season. In the heart of this picturesque landscape, Qamber Bugti, a 34-year-old engineering graduate from Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), found himself yearning for a new chapter in his life. He had toiled as a part-time rickshaw driver in the city, ferrying passengers to and fro, a humble source of income. Now, as he looked at his sold rickshaw, Bugti was at a crossroads. He desired to permanently depart from Balochistan, seeking new opportunities and a brighter future elsewhere. With his aspirations and dreams in mind, he reached out to his cousin in Bahrain, earnestly requesting assistance in obtaining a work visa. This decision marked the beginning of a significant journey, one that held the promise of a fresh start and the hope for a more prosperous tomorrow. " I would toil at the ungodly hours of night to make so much money. I

Volunteers distributing ration in Gwadar  Kareem Baksh Sohrabi was in Jannat Bazaar, a bustling hub in the coastal region of Gwadar, when the rain started pouring down. Seeking shelter from the downpour, he took refuge in a nearby shop, hoping the rain would soon pass. But it didn't. It kept raining relentlessly, and soon, the entire bazaar was submerged in water. After waiting for hours, Kareem finally made his way home through the flooded streets. Upon reaching home, he received the devastating news – his beloved boat, his sole source of income, had been destroyed in the Sur Bandar area of the city where it was docked. The weight of the news hit Kareem hard. His boat was not just a means of livelihood; it was a symbol of his hard work and dedication. With his livelihood now in ruins, Kareem faced an uncertain future.  Kareem Baksh Sohrabi wasn't the only one facing the wrath of the recent rain and floods in Gwadar. Throughout the city, boats were broken, shops were swep

Once upon a time there lived a farmer named Bahad with his good looking wife. By the time Bahad was 32, none of his sons survived and he was constantly praying for the survival of a son who could be a helping-hand for Bahad in his fields. Bahad had also resolved in his heart that if God gave him a son he would sacrifice a very healthy goat to the will of Allah and would give feast to everyone in his village as an expression of his humility. After a long period of time when Bahad's wife came near the time of delivery, Bahad was in his farm, ploughing his fields with two bullocks. After Bahad heard that he had became a dad, he rushed to his home promptly and wanted to hear a great news but with his surprise when he saw that he had been the father of a girl child, he made ill marks against his wife. "What have you done to have given birth to a daughter? Would she give me support or she would only sit at home, eat, rest and give birth to babies?" "I have been destroyed?

Baloch Raji Muchi in Gwadar, Balochistan  Shari Baloch, an 18-year-old second-year student at the Government Intermediate College, Tump and a member of the BYC( Baloch Yakjehti Committee) Tump zone, was resolute in her determination to attend the Baloch Raji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) scheduled for July 28th in Gwadar. Together with others from the Tump Tehsil of Turbat district in Southern Balochistan, Shari and other BYC members began collecting donations to hire two Zamyads for transportation to the gathering. Despite a notice from the district administration the previous day, warning against offering moral or financial support to anyone associated with the event, locals contributed whatever they could. On the morning of July 27th, as Shari and her companions prepared for their journey, the situation took a tense turn. Security forces, deployed following the announcement of the gathering, intercepted those en route to Gwadar. Shari recalls how they were stopped at various che

  Photo Credit =Freepik.com  In the bustling city of Madina, young Ahmed eagerly awaited the arrival of Ramadan. At eight years old, he was determined to fast for the first time, just like the grown-ups in his family. With the crescent moon signalling the start of the holy month, Ahmed embarked on his journey of fasting with excitement and anticipation. The first few days of Ramadan passed by smoothly for Ahmed. He woke up before dawn for Suhoor, enjoyed hearty meals with his family, and eagerly awaited the call to prayer signalling the end of the day’s fast. However, as the days wore on, Ahmed began to encounter unexpected challenges. One scorching afternoon, as the sun beat down mercilessly, Ahmed felt the pangs of hunger and thirst grow increasingly unbearable. Despite his best efforts to distract himself with prayers and Quranic recitations, the relentless heat took its toll on his young body. As the sun dipped below the horizon, calling the end of the day’s fast, Ahmed rejoiced at

  The Myna bird or Minah On a fine winter day on the Jan Muhammad Road in Quetta, as the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the landscape, my friend posed a surprisingly intriguing question upon observing two mynas in a cage outside a shop. This question, often uttered by our elders during our childhood, was: Why aren’t mynas found in Pidrak, Balochistan? My friend, a law graduate, sought a scientific explanation from me, given my status as an MBBS student and my familiarity with a chapter on the animal kingdom in biology class. Alas, I was at a loss for an answer.  This question, now woven into the cultural tapestry of Turbat, sparked a discussion in our room that extended late into the night. One friend said that it was merely a myth, asserting that people had indeed seen mynas in Pidrak, while another proposed various scientific reasons. Midnight came and went, and the enigma of why mynas don't like Pidrak remained unresolved. The following day, I encounter

  Koh-e-Murad, Zikri pilgrimage in Turbat, Balochistan  The followers of Mahdi are known as Mahdavia (Arabic: Mahdavi or Mahdavism, referred to as Zikri in Pakistan). This Mahdist Muslim sect was founded by Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri in India in the late 15th century, who proclaimed himself the Mahdi and a messianic reformer of Islam. The Mahdavia community is primarily found in India, Iran, and Pakistan. Unlike mainstream Islam, which expanded its population through conquests and conversions, the Zikris have maintained their numbers within their community. They did not engage in wars or conflicts with those who misunderstood their beliefs. Zikris regard Mahdi as a saint and their messenger. They recite their unique Kalima "La ilah ha il la la, noor pak noor Muhammad mahdi o rasool allah." Koh-e-Murad in Turbat, Balochistan, is their sacred site for prayers and Zikr (adoration). The central place of worship sees a large gathering on the 27th of Ramadan, where they perform "C