LARGE GATHERING IN NAGARPARKAR - CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE BY BAANHN BELI!
September 15, 2025
MNA Dr Mahesh Malani as chief guest and MPA Faqir Bilalani as guest of honour join villagers, volunteers, staff, development specialists, scholars, and children in a festive, colourful event.
Nagarparkar:On Saturday 13th September 2025, the pioneering volunteer-led NGO of Tharparkar known as Baanhn Beli (which means "a friend forever" in Sindhi and Seraiki languages) brought together at the organization's office over 200 persons from different parts of Tharparkar and other parts of Sindh to mark 40 years of its continuous work from 1985 to 2025. Welcoming attendees, the founding president of Baanhn Beli , former Senator and Federal Minister Javed Jabbar ,said that while the entity is guided by its 13 principles of policy , the fundamental goal was, and remains to bridge the distances and differences in the contexts of demographic location , languages , ethnicity , religion , economic class , educational levels, gender and centres of governance. He said that the entire team of Baanhn Beli comprising both volunteers and staff are deeply privileged to work with the remarkable people of Tharparkar who , despite poverty , low human development indicators , frequencies of drought , food insecurity and malnutrition possess admirable qualities of character , humility, hard work , inter-faith harmony and peaceful values . He said even after 40 years of extensive work in over 40 categories, both Baanhn Beli and he learn every day through their experience of interacting with the people and the beautiful land of the region. In conclusion, while thanking MNA Dr Mahesh Malani and MPA Faqir Bilalani for their valued support , he stressed the need to protect the unique ecosystem of the region during the use of coal to generate energy at low cost and assured the gathering that Baanhn Beli would continue to serve the area optimally in the years ahead .
MNA Dr Mahesh Malani as chief guest and MPA Faqir Bilalani as guest of honour join villagers, volunteers, staff, development specialists, scholars, and children in a festive, colourful event.
Nagarparkar:On Saturday 13th September 2025, the pioneering volunteer-led NGO of Tharparkar known as Baanhn Beli (which means "a friend forever" in Sindhi and Seraiki languages) brought together at the organization's office over 200 persons from different parts of Tharparkar and other parts of Sindh to mark 40 years of its continuous work from 1985 to 2025. Welcoming attendees, the founding president of Baanhn Beli , former Senator and Federal Minister Javed Jabbar ,said that while the entity is guided by its 13 principles of policy , the fundamental goal was, and remains to bridge the distances and differences in the contexts of demographic location , languages , ethnicity , religion , economic class , educational levels, gender and centres of governance. He said that the entire team of Baanhn Beli comprising both volunteers and staff are deeply privileged to work with the remarkable people of Tharparkar who , despite poverty , low human development indicators , frequencies of drought , food insecurity and malnutrition possess admirable qualities of character , humility, hard work , inter-faith harmony and peaceful values . He said even after 40 years of extensive work in over 40 categories, both Baanhn Beli and he learn every day through their experience of interacting with the people and the beautiful land of the region. In conclusion, while thanking MNA Dr Mahesh Malani and MPA Faqir Bilalani for their valued support , he stressed the need to protect the unique ecosystem of the region during the use of coal to generate energy at low cost and assured the gathering that Baanhn Beli would continue to serve the area optimally in the years ahead .
Dr Mahesh Malani stated that he had followed the journey of Baanhn Beli with great interest from his early youth and praised the perseverance and passion of its founding president .He said that he discovered today that one of his teachers, Dr Hussain Buksh Kolachi ,a co-founder of the organization was also serving the entity for the past 4 decades which further strengthens his bonds. He lauded the exceptional commitment of the organization's leader and his colleagues to promoting the education and health care of girls and women. Dr Malani said that, after Baanhn Beli constructed low-cost water storage reservoirs (dams) in Nagarparkar taluka in the 1990s, the Government of Sindh has constructed over 80 similar facilities in Nagarparkar and in other talukas of the district, to vastly improve access by saving rainwater water in drought-prone areas. He urged Baanhn Beli to join with the Government of Sindh and GAAVI in conducting the HPV vaccination campaign to protect girls from the danger of cervical cancer. He assured the organization of his full support for the advancement of the region and of Sindh.
In his remarks, MPA Faqir Bilalani said that even though Sindhi is not the mother tongue of the founding president of Baanhn Beli, former Senator Javed Jabbar has proven how profoundly he loves the people and the land of Sindh because he has consistently travelled from Karachi for over 40 years to spend numerous days and nights in different parts of Tharparkar to serve diverse aspects of development including sponsorship of girls' schools in villages and towns where there had never before been any girls' schools . By starting and continuing its work in very difficult conditions, he said that Baanhn Beli provides a role model for other NGOs which began their work many years later.
Dr H.B. Kolachi recalled how he had met the founding president for the first time at a communications seminar in 1984 and invited him to visit Tando Kolachi, near Tharparkar . Subsequently, Javed Jabbar led a large group of urban-based specialists to the region and they together helped begin the momentous journey. He said thousands of girls and boys from remote villages who had acquired education from schools sponsored by the founding president and by Baanhn Beli had grown up to become successful professionals and were productively employed in a variety of fields today .
Dr H.B. Kolachi recalled how he had met the founding president for the first time at a communications seminar in 1984 and invited him to visit Tando Kolachi, near Tharparkar . Subsequently, Javed Jabbar led a large group of urban-based specialists to the region and they together helped begin the momentous journey. He said thousands of girls and boys from remote villages who had acquired education from schools sponsored by the founding president and by Baanhn Beli had grown up to become successful professionals and were productively employed in a variety of fields today .
Ms Afia Salam, present General Secretary and past President, referred to the environmental significance of Baanhn Beli's awareness-raising efforts. She said that even though she had become part of the organization just less than a decade ago, she was strongly motivated to help bridge the gaps in gender equity and ecological stability.
Other speakers were : Younus Bandhani , veteran Director for over 35 years , who shared how , as a co-founding member of the Free and Fair Election Network ( FAFEN ) , Baanhn beli has helped facilitate issuance of National identity cards to thousands of village women and men , enlisted them as voters , and monitored and reported on the conduct of elections.
Through a brief video message , Dr Fareda Yasmin, who is a co-founder, and was unable to travel due to indisposition, recalled how she travelled in 1985 and subsequent years , to far-flung villages in years when there were no metalled roads or electricity , to provide direly needed medical attention to pregnant women , ailing children and others. She said that the highly respected Dr Ghaffar Billoo who is also a co-founder of Baanhn Beli , guided and led health professionals to extend services to those most in need .
Dr Syed Shabih , Vice Chancellor, Hamdard University, Karachi said he deeply regretted not having been able to travel earlier to Tharparkar to learn about the amzing work of Baanhn Beli . He respectfully recalled how the founder of Hamdard University, the late Shaheed Hakim Mohammad Said had specially visited the region on the invitation of the organization and recorded his support. He reiterated that Hamdard University is ready to extend all cooperation in the future
Naveed Soomro, of IUCN described how , with the help of Baanhn Beli , and the funding support of SECMC, a specialist survey , the first-ever of its kind, of the vast , fascinating range of flora and fauna of Tharparkar was successfully conducted, and its detailed findings published 2 years ago, to provide valuable new data for conservation and research .
A reference was also made to the fact that President Farooq Leghari had become the first Pakistani Head of State to visit Nagarparkar at the invitation of Baanhn Beli in April 1994. He had been accompanied by then-Governor of Sindh, Mahmood Haroon and then Chief Minister Syed Abdullah Shah.
Krishan Sharma stated that he had learnt all about serving development by spending his first few years of employed work with Baanhn Beli. He said many other individuals had accumulated valuable experience and insights by being part of this distinctive organization Eminent educationist and author Noor Ahmed Janjhi who said that even though Baanhn Beli rightly bridged many distances, the people of Tharparkar were always close to Nature and respected the exclusive natural attributes of their land, from which they derived a rich heritage, sustenance and inspiration. Ms Afsheen Iqbal representing the Mirpurkhas District Women's Advocacy group of the organization briefly outlined how a group of activist women in that district have helped conduct dialogue and cooperation between different Govt. departments, media and citizens to promote citizens' rights and responsibilities.
A reference was also made to the fact that President Farooq Leghari had become the first Pakistani Head of State to visit Nagarparkar at the invitation of Baanhn Beli in April 1994. He had been accompanied by then-Governor of Sindh, Mahmood Haroon and then Chief Minister Syed Abdullah Shah.
Krishan Sharma stated that he had learnt all about serving development by spending his first few years of employed work with Baanhn Beli. He said many other individuals had accumulated valuable experience and insights by being part of this distinctive organization Eminent educationist and author Noor Ahmed Janjhi who said that even though Baanhn Beli rightly bridged many distances, the people of Tharparkar were always close to Nature and respected the exclusive natural attributes of their land, from which they derived a rich heritage, sustenance and inspiration. Ms Afsheen Iqbal representing the Mirpurkhas District Women's Advocacy group of the organization briefly outlined how a group of activist women in that district have helped conduct dialogue and cooperation between different Govt. departments, media and citizens to promote citizens' rights and responsibilities.
Mr. Achar Rahmoon said that 40 years of Baanhn Beli is a milestone and a symbol of determination and struggle. He said these are not just projects, but the achievements of a 40-year development journey. Beli has empowered thousands of women and youth.
Dr Shankar Lal, present President, Baanhn Beli ably conducted the proceedings and paid tribute to those colleagues who had made vital contributions but who had sadly passed away in recent years. They included Nawaz Khoso, Usman Chaki, Mohammad Khan Marri, Ms Leero, Fakir Mir Mohammad and others.
A short video titled "40 years in 8 minutes" written by the founding president, and narrated in Sindhi by Ghazala Magsi, and edited jointly by Jhaman Das and Shahab Uddin Junejo was also screened and applauded. The hard work rendered by the staff team comprising Haneef Khoso, Hameer Chand and Jhaman Das in making arrangements for the event was acknowledged with thanks.
A special brochure of 44 pages produced by Treasurer and senior member Salim Gondal was distributed and welcomed for its historically informative and engaging content, design and production quality.
At different points in the 2-hour programme, girls and boys presented short musical and dance segments which were colorful and enjoyable expressions of the folk culture and traditions of Tharparkar
On conclusion of the event, a simple but delicious lunch was served to all.
“Celebrating 40 Years of Service (1985–2025), Baanhn Beli marks a remarkable journey of community development in Tharparkar. Bridging social, cultural, and economic divides through education, healthcare, and empowerment. Transforming lives by promoting girls’ education, women’s rights, and sustainable development. Honoring the people, volunteers, and partners who have made this journey possible. Together, we continue building a brighter, more inclusive future for Tharparkar.”