LARKANA: One of the close friends of PPP founder Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and a noted personality of Naundero, Muhammad Bux Katpar, passed away on Saturday morning after protracted illness at his hometown. He was 86.
He left behind four sons and four daughters to mourn his death while his fifth daughter has expired. Late Katpar also remained associated with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto during her lifetime but he and his community were ignored after her untimely assassination since past 13 years.
Katpar was kidnapped for ransom in 1996 by notorious bandit Sadoo Narejo where he was kept captive for eight days. Rumours alleged that he was abducted through henchmen to force him to sell his piece of land to the VVIP to construct bungalow. He was also father-in-law of PPI Larkana District Correspondent Jamal Dawoodpoto.
Muhammad Bux Katpar was mostly called by people of other communities who wanted to decide and resolve their issues through Jirga where his candid decisions based on justice were widely appreciated. He also gave first turn to the turban which was worn by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto after the death of his father Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto and since then ZA Bhutto respected him greatly and always consulted with him on the development of Naundero and other problems faced by the citizens.
He was a primary teacher but retired as Head Master where he kept his administration tight in the school and forced his subordinates to impart education to the children to the fullest of their ability without wasting a minute so that their future could be bright. He educated his sons despite poverty and daughters in those days when education was considered a sin for girls.
His four daughters were appointed teachers and the fifth became a doctor. His sons include a doctor, an engineer, a banker and a federal government employee. He was laid to rest at Chattan Shah Graveyard after offering funeral prayers at Al-Mustafa Eid Gah in Naundero.