Reported by Zar Ali Khan Afridi
It was June 6, 2013 that Idrees
Kamal called me through his cell asking for accompanying him to Quetta where
Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch President National Party was going to take over as the
Chief Minister of Baluchistan which is the largest province and is about 43% of
total Pakistan. It was about 8.pm and I had just returned from Islamabad to
Peshawar towards my home from a consultation of National Democratic Institute (NDI)
Islamabad where we attended a meeting on FATA. I replied Idrees kamal that I would tell him
tomorrow whither I would be available or not because my children were suffering
from illness and I wanted to take them to either hospital or some nearby
doctors to treat them properly. But Idrees Kamal was not a person who could
hear me. He insisted that I would accompany him. I at last said to him, Yes,. I
would accompany him. Hearing it he was so delighted that his joys knew no
bound. When it was morning next day June 7, 2013 I came first to my office in
Deans Trade Center Peshawar and asked him that they should pick me up from my
office instead of home. In my office I had to send an important report to NDI
about elections 2013 NA-47. It was about 9 AM that a call came from Idrees
kamal to come out of the office and they were near with Deans Trade center and
within 6 minutes they would be there. I immediately shut down my computer and
came down from my office and waited for about 3 to 4 minutes. A new 2D car
suddenly appeared and Idrees Kamal was looking for me from window of vehicle. As
I saw him I ran quickly towards him asking him that you people are only three
along with driver Usman who was not known to me. He was a driver of rent a car
and he was only having acquaintance with Idrees Kamal. Nazeef Khan a well known
progressive nationalist politician from Hashtnagar Charsadda was also present
in car. Nazeef Khan is General Secretary of National Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Upon seeing me Nazeef Khan was pleased very much and laughed. He welcomed me
whole heartedly. I was also very much happy over the political and social
activists like Idrees Kamal and Nazeef Khan. I asked him Idrees that Waqas was
conspicuous by his absence. He replied that waqas was busy in taking his
examination. Therefore he was restricted to go to Quetta. Waqas is from Buner
and a student leader of Democratic Students Federation an affiliated body of
National Party. We proceeded on our journey towards Kohat Road gossiping about
other friends who were not there. Idrees had promised that he would engage some
bigger vehicle to accommodate more and more friends and to take them to Quetta
for oath taking ceremony of Dr. Malik CM Baluchistan. At Scheme chowk on Kohat
Road Idrees bought few newspapers. We were reading them on the way and were
discussing various social and ongoing political situations. As we came closer
to Zangali(An area near FR Kohat), Idrees said that some hybrid melons were needed to purchase. We purchased
hybrid melons and again proceeded. At
one moment driver demanded for oil. We stayed at some petrol pump nearby. There
Idrees bought peach juices for all of us. We enjoyed them very much. In Karak
we stopped for a cup of tea and driver had to fill his CNG kit there. We had a
cup of tea there and asked driver to leave the pump as there was a large queue
of vehicle and we were getting late. Therefore we started our journey once
again. When we reached DI Khan near by pass we filled the car with petrol and
started going on by pass instead of main DIK where there was a lot of rush. So
we avoided it because we knew that we had a great distance to cover. When we
reached Drazinda FR DI Khan, a tribal region of FATA there my friend Atlas Khan
sherani was waiting for us to receive us. He took us to his home where he served
us with tea and chickens. Nazeef Khan demanded for bread. Atlas Khan brought it
at once. When we had about one hour there again we proceeded on the condition
that on way back we would again come to sherani and would have a night there. In
FR DIK once again Idrees purchased water and juices for us. It was about 3 PM
that we reached to Kohi Suleman. There we wanted to observe the rocks closely.
I said to them that the same rocks were more than 60 millions of age. Because
they were Paleozoic and its age was round about. It was like a geological
museum. Idrees Kamal took mine and Nazeef Khan several pictures with rocks
which had good strikes and dips. I asked him to post them on face book which
was his dearest social media tool. Though I was the first one who taught Idrees
Kamal about face book and latter he was so conversant with it that I was left
several kilometers behind. When we reached Zhob a Pashtun dominated district of
Baluchistan it was about 7 PM. There I insisted that we would go to the house
of Sain Kamal Khan (Late) to offer condolence to his sons but Idrees Kamal
flatly rejected it saying that they were already late. Nazeef Khan also agreed
to what I was saying. Sain Kamal Khan was a Pashtun political intellectual and
a leader of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami party of Mehmood Khan Achakzai. In Zhob we
bought apricots and we ate them almost all. The payment was done by Idrees
Kamal. In main city of Zhob we waited for Obaidullah Mandokhel whose Brother
Farooq Mandokhel came to road to receive us. We went to their home where we had
dinner and breakfast next day. Obaidullah Mandokhel is the son of late
Pashtun political leader Mira Khan mndokhel. In Zhob city we went around the
city and also visited fort sendamen. Idrees Kamal also took a picture of fort
sendamen where he found that two deputy commissioners were sitting in same
place. Deputy Commissioner of district Zhob and Deputy Commissioner of Sherani.
I forbade him about the sensitivity of the area but even then he took
photographs. There in Zhob we met Noor Muhammad Mandokhel and his other friends.
We had a cup of tea with them. We enjoyed their political discussion. Noor
Muhammad Mandokhel and Obaidullah Mandokhel are the friends of Altaf Bacha a
political activist and a leader of
National Party from Shahi Bala Peshawar. I got acquaintance with them through
Idrees Kamal and Altaf Bacha. Noor Muhammaf frequently comes to Peshawar and
spends many night s and days with Altaf Bacha. During his stay he meets many
friends and discusses politics with them. He is a nice man. After spending one
night in Zhob we proceeded towards Quetta in morning. Now Obaidulla Mandokhel
also accompanied us. In car now we were three persons sitting in back seat
while Idrees Kamal was in front seat along with driver Usman. Idrees Kamal was
sitting in front seat in whole journey. On the way towards Quetta Obaidullah
Mandokhel helped us showing different places. When we reached Qilla Saifullah
There we had a cup of tea because we were very much tired. After taking tea
again our driver sped his car. In main City of Qilla Saifuulah Idrees noticed a
person names Khan Zaman Kakar who is a well known pashtun intellectual and
writer. I did not remember that person but Idrees wanted to meet him and I also
asked driver to stop so that we could meet Khan Zaman kakar. He was very much
enthusiastic to see us in Qilla Saifullah.. He knew me but I was unable to recognize him
soon. Latter on I knew him. There was a hot discussion between Nazeef Khan and
Idrees Kamal on all the way about the plain areas coming in front of us. Idrees
used to say that it would be looking very beautiful if the government had
developed the area and built posh and modern colonies equipped with
electricity, gas and other facilities like education and health for the welfare
of the people while Nazeef Khan had a different version and used to say that it
would be better if the government had made this area cultivable after digging
canals and streams for the farmers to irrigate these plains. People could get
grain, fodder and crops for them and their cattle, remarked Nazeef Khan in
response to what Idrees said. After travelling a long distance at last we
reached Kuchlok a town of Quetta. I do not remember the exact time but
hopefully it was round about 6 PM. Idrees Kamal contacted Jan Muhammad Buledi a
central leader of National Party and we straightly went to MPA hostel in
Quetta. There we had a lunch and took some rest. Idrees Kamal went to
Provincial Assembly of Baluchistan where Dr. malik was submitting his
nomination papers for chief Minister of Baluchistan. Dr Malik received Idrees
warmly and idrees was very much happy over this treatment. Latter on we were taken to Islamabad Hotel
situated on Jinnah Road Quetta. It was a good hotel. There we had tea and then
dinner. On Jinnah road we all roamed for some time and soon Obaidullah
Mandokhel took us to a café on Jinnah Road where we found so many political
activists sitting and sipping tea and were discussing political situations. We
met a political figure of Quetta namely Ali Baran. He is General Secretary of
Pakistan Peoples Party and a member of central committee of PPP. He discussed
many things with us concerning politics.
Idrees Kamal and Nazeef Khan were not satisfied with this person. They wanted
to avoid him. I liked him very much because he was a political worker. He was
wearing a turban and sporting a long grey beard. He was very well versed in
politics. Once again we came back to hotel and had a dinner there. Next day we
went to Provincial Assembly where we attended vote of confidence session of
members of provincial assembly. Chief Minister Dr. Malik addressed to his
members and thanked them. It was a long session and almost all members had to
talk because it was mandatory that all members would address provincial
assembly. All my other friends had seats except me and I was fortunate enough
that I got a place for standing in visitors’ gallery. Idrees was looking for me
and at last he found me out and shook the hand to come to him. I got the place
between Nazeef Khan and Idress Kamal. There was a great rush and people were
not feeling easy due to weather condition. Idrees demanded for water but no one
had water. Then he said to me that he was going out to bring water. When he did
not come soon then I also went out of the assembly and went to MPA hostel where
I found Idrees and driver Usman having lunch together. I also approached them
and sat down with them started eating meal with them from same plate which was
placing before them. In few moments Obaidullah Mandokhel, His brother Dr Afrasiyab
Mandokhel who is a student of final year in Bolan Medical College Quetta along
with Nazeef Khan also came to MPA hostel canteen. Idrees asked waiter to bring some salad to him
but he refused saying that salad was no more available there in canteen.
Obaidullah Mandokhel went to canteen and brought a plate full of salad. They
all enjoyed it. Idrees said some murmuring with him then laughed. Probably he
was angry with canteen management who had refused salad to him. After lunch we
went back to Islamabad hotel and took some rest there. Idrees did enjoy little
nap. When he got up he was very much fresh. We went to MPA hostel once again
because we had to participate in oath taking ceremony of Chief Minister. It was
about 6 PM that we went to Governor House situated on Zarghun Road Quetta.
Vehicles were not allowed to Governor House that’s why we went there on foot
and it was also a walking distance. We talked at length all the way. At
governor house there was a great rush of dignitaries. There was also warmth. We
sat in shadow of the building of governor House. In few moments Governor Baluchistan
Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi along with Dr. Malik appeared and administered oath of
chief Minister to CM Dr. Malik Baloch. Idrees was very busy in taking
photographs of the entire events. At one time he called me to go near towards
the tables where tea and some sweets were ready for guests. I went there along
with him. I took simple tea without sugar and a piece of Rasgula but I felt
some head ach suddenly when I had eaten half of it. Idrees took so many things
and ate them all. Idrees called me to come closer to doctor Malik and he took a
photo of mine with him. Then Nazeef Khan was called and he took his pictures
with newly elected CM. In governor house he took our so many pictures. He also
met there with Kazim Niaz home secretary Baluchistan and Zahir Shah Toru a
leader of PPP and brother of Ihtisham Toru a journalist in Peshawar and a close
friend of Idrees Kamal. In Governor House we met Raza Mohammad Raza who is a
central leader of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party. Nazeef Khan exchanged with him
political views. We also met Inayatuulah Babat a member of Baluchistan Assembly
and a leader of PMAP. Idrees Kamal took some of our pictures in Governor House
Baluchistan and then it was getting little dark so we left the Governor House.
Dr Malik had also asked Idrees Kamal not to go back soon to Peshawar. He was
going to joint session of parliament in Islamabad and will meet you after
tomorrow, Dr. Malik asked Idrees Kamal. Idrees and his delegation comprising
Nazeef Khan, Zar Ali Khan, Obaidullah Mandokhel and his brother Dr. Afrasiab
Mandokhel left governor house for MPA hostel. I along with Afraisiab Mandokhel
and Obaidullah Mandokhel sat on lawn out side of MPA hostel while Idrees Kamal
and Nazeef Khan went straight to hostel. After some time I received an SMS from
him to come to room No.117 (If I am not wrong). We were reluctant to go to
hostel because lawn was very pleasant and other friends were also not in favor
of room. But I insisted on Obaidullah Mandokhel to go there. As we reached the
room. It was very cold. I sat there for a while and there was a hot discussion
on Pashto literature. I enjoyed it for a while but I felt some head ach and due
to air-condition. I went to a side room and lay there on a bed. I was watching
TV there and soon a cook came and asked me if I wanted a cup of green tea. I
said to him that I needed it and I drank it. I asked Idrees Kamal to go back to
hotel as we were tired. He said for a little wait. Soon a person of his party
came and we went out of his room and drove towards hotel, Islamabad situated on
Jinna Road. It was about 8.PM. We were hungry as well. I along with Nazeef Khan
and Obaidullah khan sat for a while in my room and Idrees kamal sent a hotel
boy to bring some ice for us because hotel had not the facility. Idrees Kamal
went to his room and soon we joined again to have dinner. Here we again started
discussion and I said to participants that idrees Kamal is a person who gave us
this tour. He is sole Pashtun who worked day and night for promotion of peace
and development on soil of Pashtun. Idrees was looking towards me seemed
obliged because I could guess his eyes. He was feeling some inner pleasure by
hearing what I was saying. On one moment Nazeef Khan said to me Friend you praised
of Idrees Kamal very much and he deserved it. We ate together and after some
time we went to our own rooms. It was about 10.30 PM. Obaidullah Mandokhel was
my room mate while Nazeef Khan had another room. Idrees and his driver Usman
were sharing one room. Early next morning Idrees Kamal knocked at my door and
asked for getting up. I replied that it was off and wanted to have a rest. He
again came to our room and said get up as we were getting late to go for a
fateha of one of his friends deceased nephew in Kuchlak near Quetta. Meanwhile
Ali Baran a friend of Obaidullah Khan also came to our room and I offered him
breakfast. Soon Nazeef Khan appeared and started political discussion with Ali
Baran. Idrees Kamal and Nazeef Khan had breakfasts in their respective rooms.
All friends were healthy and sound. Idrees once again insisted to get hurry because
they were getting late for Kuchlak. When we all were coming down on stairs we
all looked in mirrors and happily came down. In entrance Idrees asked
obaidullah that they have not got CNIC from the hotel management and so he went
once again to hotel reception and brought his own and obaidullah CNIC from
hotel management. Some one had parked his car near our car and it was not
possible for us to get out. We all got angry over the foolishness of driver but
Idrees was looking at us silently and smiling. Soon owner of the car appeared
and we all talked angrily to him but Idrees said nothing to him. Idrees sat on
the front seat while I, Obaidullah khan, Nazeef Khan and Ali Baran sat in rear.
We started moving towards the Kuchlak. When
we reached kuchlak we noticed that there was a scarcity of irrigation water and
trees of different fruits seemed dry. We were very much disturbed over this
condition. As we reached near the house of Amanullah Kansi where we had to
offer Fatiha Idrees asked that he was feeling little indisposed of and said to
driver stop, stop. Driver stopped car and he along with driver, and Nazeef Khan
went out of it. He made some vomiting there and soon came back saying that he
was not feeling well. Latter I was informed by Nazeef Khan that he and driver
helped Idrees lifting his left leg to the car. In five minutes we reached the
house of Kansi. He came out of the car confidently. We offered Fatiha there.
About 20 persons were sitting there. Amanullah Kansi offered us some juice
which we all drank and when he served it Idrees he rejected offer and said he
needed water instead. Kansi asked Idrees, if he was feeling well. Idrees
replied in negative saying that he was indisposed of. Soon he asked me to take
him to an open place in room where he wanted to sleep. I took him with support
and I was astonished as to what had happened to him. He asked me for more water
which I served to him. I asked him
friend do you have high or low blood pressure. He said that he was patient of
high blood pressure. He demanded me to press his head. He was complaining that
his right forehead was breaking. Then he asked help for wash room. I supported
him to wash room in very bad condition. I asked him to help himself to stand up
which he tried but could not. He tilted on one side and then on other. Then I
lifted him from back and took him to bathroom. There he vomited as well as made
urine and bowl. I cried to the driver to come immediately who came at once.
Other people were looking but were not coming to bath room. I started washing
his body and at one time laughed at him and said friend that your wife might
have fled away to serve you. Upon hearing this he smiled little bit and nodded.
Then I helped him putting on clean clothes which we got from the owner of the
house. Now a local doctor was standing there who immediately started drop to
Idrees Kamal. Soon we realized that he should be taken to a hospital. We
brought him to Civil Hospital on Jinnah road. Where doctor advised us for a CT
SCAN. We immediately took him to CT SCAN center which unfortunately was not
available in hospital. Soon I informed Said Mukhtar Bacha President National
Party Pashtunkhwa about his condition. His brothers were also informed. I tried
to contact his brother Taimur Iqbal but his cell could not be contacted. I
tried to contact Danyal A close relative of Idrees Kamal but his phone was also
off. I wanted to put Idrees on line with them because at this time he could
talk. In CT SCAN report we were informed that there was a slight brain
hemorrhage and his one side was paralyzed. Hearing this as a heaven fell on our
shoulders. Doctors advised not to take him any where because next 48 hours were
important for him. Movement for him was harmful, said the doctors present in
ICU of neuro surgery. Blood was also tested and results were negative. In
hospital Amanullah Khan Kansi, Jan Mohammad Buledi spokesman Chief Minister Baluchistan,
Ali Baran, Obaidullah Mandokhle , local doctor of Amanullah Kansi village(Name
forgotten) and many friends of National party and development sector were
present. I shuttled between hospital and medicine stores. Soon I contacted Dr.
Ali Haider a neuro surgeon and our close friend in Lady Reading Hospital
Peshawar who talked at length on phone with a lady doctor present in ICU. When
I said what I had observed to doctor Ali Haider he immediately replied that
Idrees was paralyzed. He was very sorry for him and said that he had advised
him prevention but he did not act upon his advice and that’s why he suffered
today. Soon I realized that his condition was not good. He took a long sigh and
said good bye to this mortal world leaving all his wishes and aspirations
behind. Soon I got a call from Shazia Anjum widow of Idrees Kamal on Idrees
Kamal cell and asked me as to how Idrees Kamal was feeling. I composed my self
and said confidently that he would be all right in few moments. She asked me to
bring her spouse alive for her but alas by the time he had left this world with
so many wishes taking along with him to hereafter. I am sorry for a lie which I
told Shazia Anjum widow of Idrees Kamal. Shazia your Idrees was no more in this
world when you called me to bring him alive for you and your children. Once
again I am sorry for not bringing your husband alive for you. This saddest news
of a peace activist of not less than the caliber of Idrees Kamal spread like a
jungle fire. I contacted Arshad Haroon regional Head of SPO-Peshawar who posted
it on face book a social media very valued by Idrees kamal. Mukhtar Bacha and
brothers of Idrees Kamal were also informed. Ayaz Mandokhel was informed who
came from Khuzdar where he is a sitting Deputy Commissioner. He came along with
his vehicle and escort. He came along with coffin to Peshawar by road which was
very rocky and difficult but brought the body of Idrees Kamal to his village at
about 12.00 noon due to a great rush on Kohat Road near Zangalay. On same day
Idrees was buried in his ancestral graveyard along with his father and other
relatives. May Almighty Allah Bless his soul and rest him in peace.
Note: Ayaz Mandokhel Deputy Commissioner Khuzdar and a close friend
of Idrees Kamal, His brother Niamatullah Khan Mandokhel, Obaidullah Khan
Mandokhle, Nazeef Khan GS NP Pashtunkhwa, Dr. Afrasiab Mandokhle, Qadir Khan
Mandokhel, A close friend of Ayaz Mandokhel and an officer in Local government
in Quetta, Ali Baran, Amanullah Khan Kansi, His doctor, Dr. Ishaq Baloch, Jan
Mohammad Buledi spokesman Chef Minister Baluchistan, Tehseenullah(Chief
Executive Sap-PK), Arshad Haroon Regional Head SPO-Peshawar(Both sent their
teams to hospital and asked for their assistance, Dr Ali Haider Neoro surgeon
LRH Peshawar, Usman Driver of the car which took us to Quetta, Eidhi Welfare
Foundation, National Party and many other individuals who helped us during our
ordeal in Quetta. We are thankful to all of them. We are also grateful to all
those who contacted me and my other friends and offered their condolences
regarding the departure of Idrees Kamal.
Regards
Zar Ali Khan Afridi
Executive Director Society for Rights and Development
Chairman
Tribal NGOs Consortium FATA (Federally Administered Tribal
Areas of Pakistan)
SF-118, Deans Trade Center, Peshawar Cantt,
KPK-Pakistan+92-91-3015963337 tncfata@gmail.com
