Jan Mohammad Dashti (b. October, 1951) is a Baloch poet, bureaucrat and author, from Balochistan. Often known as just Jan Dashti, he is a senior bureaucrat serving as Balochistan's Provincial Secretary Mines and Minerals
Dashti was born in Kunchiti, in Balochistan.
He took a two-year, post-graduation course in Journalism at the University of Karachi, from where he passed out in 1972. He also sat, and successfully completed, the highly acclaimed CSS exam.
Journalism
Dashti's journalistic career began in 1974, when he joined Pakistan’s Press and Information Department (PID). Between 1978-79, he wrote for the Weekly Viewpoint under the pen-name of Sahak Baloch, mostly contributing Balouchistan-related articles. He has also greatly contributed to the Balouchi language under the pen-name of 'Shay Ragam.'
At the present, Dashti is the owner of an Urdu daily, Aasap which is published by the Asaap Group of Publications and regarded as a newspaper taking an active stand against the 'gross violation of human rights of the Baloch people' and presenting 'a balanced view on social, political, cultural, economic and human right issues of Baloch people and Balochistan.
In 1979, Dashti left the PID and switched over to Balochistan Civil Service. Currently, he is serving as Balouchistan's Provincial Secretary Mines and Minerals, and is considered a top bureaucrat of Pakistan.
As an author
Dashti has authored more than a dozen books on Baloch socio-political issues, both in English and Balochi. His first book, The Baloch Cultural Heritage, was published in 1982, and is considered the best book ever written about the Baloch culture and history, alongside his Essays on Baloch National Struggle in Pakistan: Emergence, Dimensions and Repercussions. His book, Shap Roch Shap, has also won great, critical acclaim in the Balouchi, literary circle.
Dashti follows the religion of Islam, and is a Muslim. He enjoys a good reputation as a promoter of education and literacy.
On February 24, 2009, Dashti and his driver were seriously wounded when unknown gunmen intercepted their vehicle, and opened indiscriminate fire on them. The event happened near Sariab road, Quetta, Balochistan when Dashti was on his way to office.
Although the motive behind the act could not be ascertained,
The event was thought to be an incident of target killing as, according to preliminary reports, the assailants were chasing Dashti's vehicle.
Both Dashti and his drivers, who received multiple bullet wounds and were critically injured, survived. Dashti, who was initially treated at the Civil Hospital, Quetta, was later shifted to a hospital in Karachi by aircraft.
The attack was strongly condemned by the Chief Minister Balochistan, members of the Provincial Assembly, political leaders and members of the civil society.
Baloch and Sindhi human rights advocacy organizations based in the UK, the Balochistan Human Rights Council (BHRC), the World Sindhi Congress (WSC), the Balochistan Action Committee and the Sindhi Baloch Forum, also strongly condemned the attack, in a joint statement.
