Sindh after Pir Pagara

Pir Sahib Pagara, the spiritual leader and president of Pakistan Muslim League (F) passed away on Jan 10, 2012. He was an instrumental figure in the Pakistani politics and has played a key role in resolving many political disputes as well as formation of many coalitions. He was very famous in prediction about national politics. He was sometimes termed as a man of Pakistani Establishment because of his support to past army rulers. Political elites and prominent businessmen all over country have always sought after Pir Sahib’s support.

Pir Sahib was very vocal and perhaps the only challenging source to confront the might of PPP in rural Sindh. His support and backing was considered essential for smooth operation of ethnically divided Sindh provincial assembly. In the past, Pir Sahib played a crucial role in reducing tension and bringing urban and rural politician on one table. Pir Pagaro was considered master mind in forming coalition of anti-PPP forces like MQM, PML groups and independents. His maestro was clearly behind the formation of Jam Sadiq’s government in Sindh from 1990 to 1992 despite PPP’s majority in assembly.

Pir Sahib’s departure in the current political turmoil will be beneficial for PPP to great extent especially when new elections could be announced any time. Rural Sindh political grounds may become easy turf for PPP as it will have only nationalist as their rival. Pir Sahib was the leading campaigner for unification of PML groups and was it not the PML(N) refusal, we might have a unified PML in Pakistan. His departure will also upset the PML unification campaign. Besides other family and tribal issues, the new crowned Pir Pagara will have a daunting task to organize a political campaign to deal with the political might of PPP.