Talpurs of Tando Mohammad Khan join PML-F

Pir Pagara embarks on his first political tour.

HYDERABAD: As signs of discord between the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) become more evident, the PML-F chief, Pir Pagara, enlisted the support of one of the long-time PPP opponent in Tando Mohammad Khan, the Talpur family, on Wednesday.

The Talpurs, who have been contesting elections against the PPP since 1988, decided to join the PML-F as the Pir Pagara has embarked on his first political tour after the demise of his father.

However, the PML-F chief stressed on the occasion that his engagements should not be interpreted as if he were forging an opposition to the PPP. “I have not come out in opposition to anyone, but for the welfare of the country, and to unite old friends.”

Former provincial minister Mir Aijaz Talpur, former district nazim and ex-MNA Mir Inayat Ali Talpur, former MPA Mir Mushtaq Talpur and Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur welcomed the PML-F chief at their residence.

The Talpurs enjoy great influence in the politics of Tando Mohammad Khan. During recent by-elections for a Sindh Assembly seat, which were marred by Wahida Shah’s “slapping” incident, Mir Mushtaq Ali Talpur had come second after securing 13,000 votes, according to unofficial statistics.

Even though he acknowledged that the country was experiencing problems and that the people were suffering, the PML-F chief claimed that fresh elections were “not in sight”. When asked military intervention, he said, “When I walk, I only hear the sound of my boots”.

A large number of people had earlier welcomed the spiritual leader of Hur comminity as Pir Pagara’s entourage entered Tando Muhammad Khan from Badin district. The PML-F chief is scheduled to visit areas of Sindh and Punjab that are dominated by his spiritual followers, and also aims to meet different political leaders.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2012.