Karachi: The death of Pir Syed Mardan Shah, better known as Pir Sahib Pagara, has created a vacuum in Pakistan's restive political scene as his arbitration always played an effective role as a bridge between the political forces and the powerful establishment.
His role as a power broker was crucial in Pakistani politics and his spiritual seat permeated inspiration for hundreds of thousands of his disciples across the country, especially in Sindh province, where he had his roots.
When Pir Sahib Pagara turned 15, his father Pir Sibghatullah Shah Pagara was hanged in 1943 by the British and his body was hidden to suppress the mutiny led by him against the Raj.
Sibghatullah Shah was leading thousands of Hurs (the disciples of Pagara's spiritual dynasty) against the British in present-day Sindh province when it was part of the Indian subcontinent.
Protective custody
Shah was the son of Syed Mardan Shah, after whom the Pir Pagara was named. Enduring a great deal of resistance, the British government improvised its defence against the rebellion, and instead of clashing head-on, they took the young Pir Pagara and his brother into "protective custody" soon after his father was executed.
Born in 1928, Pir Pagara got his early traditional education at Pir Jo Goth also known as Kingri. The Khalifas (custodians of spiritual house of Pagara) administered his basic education.
After his father's death, the Britishs sent him to Aligarh University, the symbol of enlightenment and modernisation for Muslims in the Indian subcontinent, where he studied for three years till 1946. All the estates and properties were attached by the colonial government.
In 1946, Pir Pagara was brought to Karachi and was placed under house arrest. In order to further contain any possible uprising, which Pagara could have instigated, the government sent him to Britain where he lived for six years.
"These were the decisive years in shaping his personality and he became a progressive pir, unlike other spiritual leaders in the country who are very conservative," said Muqtida Mansour, a newspaper columnist.
When Pir Pagara returned home, Pakistan had come into being, and then prime minister Liaqat Ali Khan restored all his titles and handed him all his attached properties and agricultural land.
From then on, Pir Pagara became an integral part of Pakistani politics and a catalyst for any vital political change in the country. Changes continued because of four military coups and he became the favourite politician of the army.
Witty remarks
He joined the Muslim League (Qayyum group) and supported field marshal Ayub Khan, the country's first military dictator. Over a period of time, he earned the title of ‘king maker' as he remained in all political alliances which ruled the country.
Mohammad Khan Junejo was one of the persons who had his blessing to be elevated to the position of prime minister despite having no worthy political background.
Pagara was also known for his witty remarks on the political situation and his prophecies, which were believed to be tip-offs from the army, which has always been active behind the scenes.
"The wand is about to sweep everything," was his famous quote that became a cliche everyone would use to predict big changes in the government.
A cigar was also in his hand regardless of whoever was calling on him. Kingri House in Karachi was his residence and newsmen would forecast political change if politicians started to frequent the house.
Horse breeding
He also hit the newspapers when twin baby girls were born to his second wife in 2007, when Pagara became an octogenarian.
He was fond of breeding horses and owned hundreds of high-bred horses at his farms. Hunting was also his hobby and no one would be allowed to hunt in the areas where Pagara hunted. In 1988, he founded his own faction of the Muslim League that is known as the Functional Muslim League.
On Saturday his eldest son Pir Sibghatullah Rashdi was electedw president after Pir Pagara passed away on January 10 in London.
"Certainly a unique and golden chapter of Pakistan's politics is over with the departure of Pir Pagara," said professor Tauseef Ahmad, a political analyst.
Successor
Pir Sibghatullah Shah, the eldest son and heir to the late Pir Pagara, was appointed president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Functional), which was founded by his father in 1988.
Sibghatullah Shah, also known as Raja Sain, was named the eighth Pir Pagara of the spiritual dynasty. The family is directly descended from Ali, the fourth caliph.
The new Pagara will be known as Pir Sibghatullah Shah VIII, according to Khan Mohammad, his press coordinator.
Born on February 14, 1957, Pagara had his education at American School where he completed his graduation. He has four sons and three daughters from two wives. Since 1981, he has held various Sindh provincial ministries from time to time.
