Ishaq Mangrio (6th July, 1955 – 16 June, 2024) – Trendsetter Sindhi Journalist

 

By Habib Sanai

Last year, on June 16, 2024, Sindhi journalism suffered a great loss with the passing of Ishaq Mangrio — a distinguished journalist who brought to light many themes that were previously overlooked or even disdained by the mainstream media. He is widely regarded as a pioneer in introducing environmental issues and other off-beat subjects into Sindhi journalism, giving them the space and seriousness they deserved. He consistently chose the untrodden path, exploring stories that others ignored or considered unworthy of mainstream attention.

According to Hameed Soomro, “Rarely in the past fifty years has any journalist explored and interpreted Sindh the way Ishaq Mangrio has. From the Indus River, the delta, the islands, the floods, the deserts and borderlands, to the riverine and arid zones — he traveled deep into the land, witnessing and documenting Sindh’s landscapes and its lives with remarkable depth. His work gave him the aura of a Sindh expert and a distinguished identity in Sindhi journalism. However, according to his colleagues, the most historically significant of his journalistic contributions are the stories he wrote about the devastation caused by the reverse flow of the LBOD (Left Bank Outfall Drain) following the 1999 cyclone in the coastal belt of Sindh. I first met Ishaq Mangrio in Johi, when he was reporting on the historical “Hurs’ camps” established during British rule. Years before the formation of Pakistan, the Hurs had launched a rebellion under the leadership of Pir Pagara Sibghatullah against British colonial forces. In retaliation, the state branded them as terrorists and imprisoned them, along with their families, in open jails scattered across Sindh. One such prison camp still exists near Johi, a few kilometers to the north, known locally as the “Hur Camp.” These camps stand as grim reminders of a dark and oppressive era in Sindh’s history, and Mangrio’s deep connection to them was also personal — his own family had ties to the Hur movement.

“After that, his reporting took him from Johi to Wahi Pandhi, and eventually to Gorakh Hill. At that time, the journey to Gorakh was made by camel, donkey, motorcycle, or on foot. He joined a group from Wahi Pandhi and set off for Gorakh. From Wahi Pandhi to the base of Gorakh — an area locals call “Panjtheeh” — he rode a motorcycle, and then hiked on foot for eight hours through rugged terrain to reach the summit. This was in June 1997. While most travelers used the Khawal pass to climb Gorakh, Ishaq Mangrio ascended through an extremely steep and narrow trail known as “Chookri.” In local terms, Chookri means "narrow and difficult."

Early Life and Education

Ishaq Mangrio was born on July 6, 1955, in the village of Gul Hassan Sarewal, located in District Sanghar. He began his early education in his native village and later pursued his secondary and higher secondary studies in Sanghar city. Demonstrating a deep commitment to learning, he went on to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree as a private candidate.

During his student days, Ishaq Mangrio became actively involved with nationalist and progressive organizations. For a significant period, he was engaged in the Hari movement and progressive politics, advocating for the rights of peasants and marginalized communities. He was also an active member of the Sindhi Adabi Sangat (Jhol Branch), where he contributed to literary and cultural activities. For some time, he also served as the branch's Joint Secretary, reflecting his deep commitment to both political and literary causes.

Career in Journalism

In the early 1990s, Ishaq Mangrio became a full-time journalist, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to the field. From 1992 to 1995, he served as the district correspondent for the Sindhi daily Jago. In 1995, he joined the Sindh newspaper, where he continued his work until 1999. That same year, he became part of the Kawish Media Network and remained with them until 2004.

From 2004 to 2007, Mangrio served as Director of the Documentaries Section at Sindh TV, where he also took charge of the channel’s Election Cell from 2007 to 2008. A passionate and insightful freelance feature writer, he contributed numerous pieces on anthropology, indigenous knowledge, and the local wisdom of Sindh to publications such as Daily Ibrat and the fortnightly magazine Affairs.

He also worked as a senior reporter for the Sindh Express. In addition to his journalistic endeavors, Ishaq Mangrio collaborated with several international environmental organizations — including WWF, IUCN, and UNDP — contributing his research and field insights to support their work in Sindh and beyond.

Last Years

In the words of Hameed Soomro, “Ishaq Mangrio, a man known for his cheerful spirit and contentment even in difficult times, lived deeply immersed in his own world. But his life took a devastating turn in 2021 when he suffered his first major blow — the tragic death of his young son-in-law in a road accident in Sanghar.

“Not long after, grief struck again, even more painfully, when his young son, Hasan, passed away after a battle with cancer. The responsibility of caring for and educating his late son’s daughter and widow now fell entirely on his shoulders.

“Despite these heartbreaking losses, Ishaq Mangrio continued to wear a smile, hiding his sorrow behind his calm demeanor. He kept writing, speaking at programs, and sharing his thoughts and experiences, outwardly carrying on with life. But inside, the grief hollowed him out — a silent wound that eventually manifested as a serious illness.

“What followed were long, exhausting rounds to hospitals — from Isra Hospital to Agha Khan — as he sought diagnosis and treatment. But for a long time, doctors could not identify the root of his condition. Just days before that fateful 16th of June, I visited him at home. He was undergoing treatment for bone tuberculosis, yet his worsening reports and declining health told a different, more troubling story. It seemed his illness still hadn't been fully or correctly diagnosed.”

His legacy

Over the course of several decades, Ishaq Mangrio, besides writing extensively on critical yet underrepresented issues such as environmental degradation, water crises, the displacement of indigenous communities, and the often overlooked human cost of development,, he also authored numerous profiles and anthropological essays, and conducted thorough interviews with luminaries of Sindh, that provide valuable insight into Sindh’s political, cultural and social landscape.

Many of these writings remain profoundly relevant today and could serve as essential material for anyone attempting to write a comprehensive history of Sindh. For this reason, it is imperative that his works be compiled and published in an anthology, preserving his legacy for future generations of journalists, researchers, and readers.

He was buried in the ancestral graveyard of his village Gul Hassan Sarewal, district Sanghar.