Munir Ahmed Badini

Munir Ahmed Badini (also spelled, e.g., Muneer Ahmad Badini) was born in Shareef Khan village, Nushki District, Balochistan, Pakistan in 1953. After his early studies in the village school, he went to Quetta where he completed a BA in Sociology, Political Science and Philosophy at the Govt Degree College in Quetta. (160) He later earned an MA in Philosophy from Punjab University.

During his time as a student, Munir Badini became a member of BSO. (161) He was influenced by Marxist literature and thinking and made a Balochi translation of a work by Stalin, though it was never published. He later rejected Stalinist thinking.

After completing his master’s degree, Munir Badini taught Philosophy at the Degree College, Quetta, but in 1980 he joined the Pakistani Civil Service. He has held various posts in the Provincial Government of Balochistan, such as Secretary of Fisheries, Secretary of Education, and Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs. He is now retired and lives in Quetta.

Munir Badini is a prolific writer who has written more than 100 books, some of which have been awarded literary prizes. One of his early works is the novelette Rékáni Talá Halké (A Village in the Dunes), (162) which was followed by another novelette Bell ke Máh Bekapit (Let the Moon Vanish). (163) In 2008 he published a trilogy about the social life and changes in Quetta between 1970 and 2000. The title of the book is Shálay Golén Bázár (The Flowery Bazar of Shal). (164) Another novel of his, Karnáni Kahrén Dhokk (The Harsh Sorrows of Centuries) (165) received the Mast Tauk Ali award in 2009, (166) and in 2010 his short story collection Hazárén Pásáni Shap (A Night of a Thousand Watches) (167) received the same award. Among his later novels, Bahesht o Dózah (Heaven and Hell) can be mentioned. (168) In addition to novels, novelettes and short stories, Munir Badini has also written a fictional travelogue describing a visit to the USA. It was published in 1996 with the title Ágahén Chammáni Wáb (The Dream of Open Eyes). (169)

In 2018 Munir Badini received the Pakistan Academy of Letters’ Kamal-e-Fann Award, one of the highest literary honours in Pakistan. (170)

In addition to his literary activities, Munir Badini is interested in a number of current issues, such as education and environmental protection. In a 2011 interview, he comments on education in Balochistan, and finds that “the status of education in Balochistan has been neglected in the past and it will be neglected in the future too. […] In fact, the ruling elite in third world countries is not interested in educating its people because of its vested interests. Education brings awareness and freedom with it. The educated masses would ultimately change the very fabric of the society, much to the disadvantage of the ruling elite.” He does not foresee any rise in the quality of education in Balochistan, but is more optimistic about environmental protection and the development of sports in the province.

In line with Munir Ahmed Badini’s interest in the interaction between man and his environment, the theme of the story presented here, Pisshi o Pirokó (The Cat and the Old Man), is the importance of caring for others, be they animals or humans. It also shows the author’s insight into the behaviour of cats, and that caring for an animal can help fill an empty nest.