Baloch writer refuses literary award from Pakistan due to state’s oppressive policies
Renowned Baloch poet and author Akbar Barakzai has refused an academic award from Pakistan for the best work in Baloch literature citing the Imran Khan government’s policies ‘inflicted’ on Balochistan that have ‘subjugated’ the populace.Barakzai’s book ‘Zaban Zanti-u-Balochi Zaban Zanti’ had been nominated for the Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi Award by the Pakistani Academy of Letters (PAL).Upon hearing about the nominations, he rebuffed the academic award and the accompanying 200,000 rupees cash prize through an email sent to the Chairman of the PAL, Dr Yousuf Khushk.In his email, Barakzai thanked the PAL for the nomination but said that he cannot accept this award. When asked about his decision, he cited the policies ‘inflicted’ on Balochistan to ‘subjugate’ its populace.Akbar Barakzai hails f