Spiritual Leader of Hur Community and Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) Pir Mardan Shah-II, more commonly known as Pir Pagara, breathed his last at the age of 83 here on Tuesday, Geo News reported.
Pir Pagara was flown to London's Wellington Hospital in an air-ambulance after suffering from an infection following his surgery in Karachi a few days ago, where he, reportedly, had shown some signs of improvement before his death.
Doctors at Wellington Hospital said the cause of death was cardiac arrest.
His funeral prayer will be offered here in London on Wednesday.
A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight would fly his dead body back home on the same day.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have telephoned Pir Pagaro's sons in London and registered their condolences.
Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced three-day mourning in Sindh.
Governor Sindh, Dr Isharat-ul-Ibad has also condoled with his heirs.
Pir Pagara spent a major part of his life being actively engaged in Pakistan's politics.
He was born in Pir Jo Goth on November 22, 1928. He had his primary education at his birth-town. While his his father was under arrest, Khalifas at Dargah Sharif looked after his education.
In 1946 he was kept under house arrest along with his younger brother and family members in Karachi. He stayed for three years in Aligrah from 1943 to 1946. In 1946 he was shifted to Liverpool, England, where he was admitted in Majiour Davis Private School but was kept school-bound.
In 1949 Prime Minister Liaqut Ali Khan met him in England and assured him of restoration of his Status. On 4th February 1952 his status as Pir Pagara was officially restored with Dasterbandi.
Immediately after restoration of Gadi he had many challenges to face. Most important challenge was to restore the image of Hur Jamat. British during those last 30 years had tarnished the image of Jamat and projected the Jamat as terrorist. It was a big task to clarify the position of the Jamat and reorganize it, which he did with all his might.
Pir Sahib was very fond of hunting and horseracing. He owned many race-winning horses of rare pedigree. The credit of Karachi racecourse club’s restoration also goes to only Pir Sahib. Forecasting was also one of his hobbies. His political forecasts often came true. On top of all these, he was a first class cricketer as well.
During the colonial rule, his forebear Pir Syed Sibghtullah Shah Shaheed started armed struggle against the British in the form of Hur movement. The rulers were so scared of the movement that they assassinated Sibghtullah Shah Shaheed to control the movement. Thus Sibghtullah Shah Shaheed gave his life independence.
Pir Sahib also felt it was his duty to safeguard & maintain the sovereignty, integrity and independence of the homeland. In 1965, when India attacked Pakistan, Pir Sahib asked his followers to serve the country. About 20,000 volunteers came out and fought very bravely and captured many posts of India.
Similarly in 1971 by order of Pir sahib his followers volunteered and fought very bravely.
As far as his political party is concerned, in fifties, after the defeat of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah at the hands of Field Marshall Ayub Khan in presidential run, Mohtarma declared the Muslim League as Functional and made Pir Pagaro the head of this faction of Pakistan Muslim League, which he led with grace till his death.
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