PIR JO GOTH: The spiritual leader of Hurs and Chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), Pir Mardan Shah-II, commonly known as Pir Pagara, was laid to rest amid mourning atmosphere at his ancestral graveyard in Pir Jo Goth on Thursday evening.
He was buried beside the grave of his grandfather Shah Mardan Shah I. Hundreds of thousands of his followers participated in his funeral prayer led by Hazrat Siraj Ahmed Gilani, commonly known as Pir of Jhang. The followers of Hur Jamaat arrived here from different areas of the country, including India. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Sindh United Party chief Syed Jalal Mahmmood Shah and federal and provincial ministers belonging to the ruling PPP, MQM and PML-F were among the participants in the funeral prayer.
A large number of his followers attended the funeral prayer by wearing traditional white caps that they usually wear at the Dargah or in respect of their spiritual leader. A delegation from Rajisthan, India was waiting there since last two days for arrival of the body of their spiritual leader. Later, the supreme body of Hur Jamaat comprising Khalifas formally appointed the elder son of late Pagara, Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi alias Raja Sain, as successor of his late father, the new Pir Pagara.
Faqir Qadir Bux Mangrio, chief Khalifa of the Jamaat, made formal announcement of his appointment. The new Pir Pagara was crowned in the dress of the spiritual leader of the Jamaat at an impressive ceremony. It was the first time that the Jamaat selected elder son of Pir Pagara for the crown. Previously, the Jamaat had selected late Pagara for this portfolio by superceding his elder brother, Pir Nadir Shah, after martyrdom of Soriaha Badshah. – Dailytimes
