Ali had an intense devotion to education, which is why he was hugely disappointed when he, like many of his fellow citizens, was unable to complete his schooling due to the worsening security situation in Balochistan, particularly his home city – Quetta. His dream of becoming a social psychologist was never realised.

Not one to give up, he found the next best way to quench his thirst for knowledge: engaging with people from various ethnicities and religions. He would try and study every person he met, interacting with them to better understand their lives, their struggles. The honest effort he made in getting to know someone made him approachable and trustworthy.

Ali never remained a mere spectator to what was happening in his country, his province and particularly, his home city where members of his community were being unabatedly slaughtered. His voice rang loud and clear; mobilising the youth, and organising seminars and conferences to address the deteriorating human rights situations in Balochistan.

A peace activist

In early 2011, Ali actively launched the ‘Human Rights Commission for Social Justice and Peace’ organisation. This initiative was essentially aimed at raising awareness about the human rights violations in Balochistan and working towards solutions. Not remaining limited to his own community or province, he traveled across Balochistan and around the country to campaigning relentlessly for education, justice and peace for everyone.

Being a member of the persecuted Hazara community, Ali was very personally feeling the pain inflicted by terrorism, more so than most Pakistanis his age, and because of which he was ever-present, expressing condolences to and solidarity with the victims of terrorist attacks from Karachi to Peshawar to Gilgit and Parachinar.

Dear all join us in candle light vigil, tribute 2 #Bashir #Ahmed#Billour who stood against evil,8 #IslamabadPress Club at 5 Pm today.

— irfan (@khudiali) December 24, 2012

Ali was of the view that Balochistan’s issues could be solved through dialogue. In his speeches and discussions, he would emphasise that extremism was being purposefully nurtured in the province, urging all ethnic groups of Balochistan to unite and resist it.

#Quetta If #Baloch #Pashtoon & #Hazara want better future for thr children they must collectively get united & counter kidnappers & terrist

— irfan (@khudiali) November 20, 2012