Remembering Usman Khan Kakar Shaheed

Nasir Uddin Gul

Early Life and Education: Usman Khan Kakar (23 June 1961- 21 June 2021) famously known as Usman Lala was born in 1961 in Muslim Bagh of Killa Saifullah district in Balochistan. His father was a well-known person and was the head of his tribe. Lala belonged to famous and large Pashtun tribe better known as Kakar.

He matriculated from Islamia School in Muslim Bagh. He secured a diploma in Engineering from Bahawalpur. He did his BSc. from Science College of Quetta. Then he obtained a degree of masters in Economics from the University of Balochistan. His hunger for education doesn’t end here he also joined the Law college of Quetta and pursued a degree in LLB.

Student life: Parallel to his education he was keen-eyed towards politics. Finally, Usman Lala put his feet on Students politics in 1977 and linked himself with Pashtun Students Organization of the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP). In 1987, he chosen as a secretary of Pashtunkhwa Students Organization (PSO) and also elected the President of PSO later on.

Political Career:  Usman Lala was subjected to various restrictions during the dictatorship era of General Zia. He was jailed and sent behind the bars but the brave Lala defeated everything and back to his move again. In 1989, Usman Lala officially joined Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP). In 2007, he became the provisional President because of his devoted services for the party and the people of Balochistan. In 2013, he was elected as a central secretary of pary.

Usman Kakar was considered in nationalist circles as clear-sighted and serious politician. He successfully contested the election for membership of senate in 2015 and elected as member of senate of Pakistan. During Usman Lala’s tenure (March-2015 to March-2021), it was a golden age for Pashtuns across the so-called Durand line.

He became the voice of thousands of voice-less Pashtuns. Usman Lala expanded his struggle to every platform. He single-handedly faced many hurdles and tactics of the state. Usman lala was a well-qualified professional politician. Every politician even his severe critique, admired his struggles for Pashtuns.

Ideology of Usman Lala: Usman Lala’s ideology was crystal clear. He always addressed the challenges that Pashtuns are facing regardless of their religion, caste and creed. His thinking and politics were based on nationalist politics. Usman Lala was a man of his words. He had an unshakable commitment towards his politics which included:

1) Un-compromised democracy.

2) Strong federal political system.

3) Pro-people foreign policy.

Lala struggled for the above norms with straight chin till his last breath. Moreover, Lala remained vocal and committed for the right of minorities across the board.

Usman Lala as a Veteran Organizer: Usman Lala had an unmatched personality. He was a sharp minded political organizer and a brilliant tactician. Lala was a man of high profile but he always showed sympathy and humbleness. He always looked a devoted servant of his ideology.

Building organization and strengthening their configuration was his greatest skills.  He intended door-to-door campaign and reached his party and his ideology to the next level. Usman Khan Kakar was deeply loved across the border for his pro-people narrative and broad ideology.

Usman Lala witnessed that he was on the target, he said that some non-democratic forces threatened me to avoid criticizing us and throw away your ideology but I will not let any stone unturned. His last message from the floor of senate was: “I will stand by my ideology and it does not matter if they kill me or my children because my ideology and my Pashtuns are everything for me.

We lost Usman Kakar but his ideology and services will resonates in our hearts forever. History reveals that no ideology can killed with a bullet.

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