Amar Guriro

KARACHI

Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) and spiritual Leader of Hurs Pir Syed Mardan Shah II more commonly known as Pir Pagara died on late Tuesday night at the age of 83 in London. PML-F central leader Kashif Nizamani while talking to Pakistan Today confirmed his death.

Pir Pagara was suffering of lungs infections and was admitted in a local hospital where his conditions worsened and he was taken to London where he breathed his last. He was born in Pir Jo Goth, district Khairpur, Sindh. Pir Syed Mardan Shah II was given title in 1922 when he was only 12.

Pir Pagara, is a title as he was the chieftain of Hurs (the freedom fighters) who foght against British ruler during British rule. Pir means chief and Pagaro in Sindhi means chieftain or a person having ancestral turban which declares him as chief of his tribe in Sindhi traditions.

His father Sibghatullah Shah alias Soreh Badshah (brave king in Sindhi), a national hero of Sindh participated in long time fight against British rulers with his supporters commonly known as Hurs. Soreh Badshah was hanged in 1943.

Pir Pagara was fond of horse race and he was often spending his Sunday at Karachi Race Course.  He also took active part in Pakistani politics since 1960s.  When Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah lost her elections from Ayub Khan in Presidential run, she declared the Muslim League as Functional and made Pir Pagaro the head of it.

In politics he was used to predict for the current governments and often his supporters believed his predictions right. Pir Pagara was first time arrested in 1930 for his struggle against British rule and the founder of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah fight his case in the court as lawyer in 1930.

The news of his death spread like wildfire throughout Sindh and his followers and party workers started exchanging SMS to remember the departed soul.