Pir Pagara dies

Veteran politician Pir Pagara died in a London hospital on Tuesday. He was born in 1928 at his native village - Pir Jo Goth. Supreme leader of his own faction of PML, PML-F, Pagara led a very active life in politics. He played a key role in the anti-Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto movement in the late 1970 from the platform of opposition parties' alliance Pakistan National Alliance.
Since then he had a very strong influence on country's politics. Mohammad Khan Junejo became prime minister during the period of General Ziaul Haq through recommendations made by him. His father Pir Syed Sibghtullah Shah launched an armed struggle against the British in the form of Hur movement.
Sibghatullah Shah-I provided forces to Syed Ahmed Shaheed to fight against Sikhs and since then these people are called as Hurs [free people]. The movement was practically started by Syed Sibghatullah Shah Shaheed Awal in 1246[Hijri]. Pagaras' and their followers fought for freedom against British rulers and their supporters for 108 years - from 1843 to 1951.
In 1922 when Sibghatullah Shah II [Sarah Bad Shah] became Pir Pagara he was only 12 years old. In the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Pir Pagara asked his followers to fight alongside Pakistani troops. His Hur Jawans fought bravely and captured many Indian posts.
In 1971, his followers volunteered themselves for fight against India. Also known for his role that he played towards obtaining ethnic harmony in Sindh, a large number of people affected by linguistic riots of 1970s sought shelter and migrated to the areas under Pir Sahib's influence. In 1970, Pir Sahib brought out an English weekly "Statesman" of international standards. Edited by Owais Sahib, Statesman used to carry the contributions of eminent writers from home and abroad.
Early life He was born in Pir Jo Goth on 22nd November 1928. He had his primary education at Pir Jo Goth. In 1946, he was kept under house arrest along with his younger brother and family members in Karachi. He stayed at Aligarh from 1943 to 1946. In 1946, he was shifted by ship to Liverpool (England). In England he was admitted in Majiour Davis Private School and was under arrest. To him, this private school was no less than a hell.
From 1946 he got his education at Aligarh. At Aligarh, Kazi Sadrruddin, a prosecuting Inspector Police, used to teach him Holy Quran. He had graduation from England. In 1949, Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan met him in England and assured him of restoration of his status of Pir Pagara. On 4th February 1952, his status of Pir Pagara was officially restored and Dastarbandi was carried out.
Pir Sahib had a great dominating and impressing personality. He was very kind hearted, sympathetic, courageous and brave man. Immediately after restoration of his Gadi he had faced many challenges. Most important challenge was the restoration of a terrorist outfit. For religious education Pir Sahib on May 1952 established Nakia Rashidia at Dargah Sharif.
Pir Sahib was very fond of hunting. He was also very fond of horses and horse racings. He used to have many horses of high breed, which often won the races at Karachi race club, which had been restored through his sole efforts. Making forecast was also his great hobby. His political forecasts often came true.