The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will set up its first e-learning laboratory named after Pir Pagara in the new academic complex of the varsity within one month. This was announced by AIOU VC Dr Nazir Sangi, addressing a condolence reference for Pir Sahib Pagara held at Nusrat Bhutto Auditorium of the university. All the deans and a large number of academicians, officers and employees were present. Dr Sangi paid rich tribute to the veteran politician and spiritual leader of the Hur community, Syed Mardan Shah Pir Sahib Pagara and called his death a great loss for the country and the nation. Dr Sangi said the country had been deprived of a great politician.
Dr Sangi said that he promoted the environment of forgiveness and mutual understanding not only in the entire Sindh but also at the national level. He said Pir Pagara played the role of a bridge among all the factions of the people. He added Pagara was not only a spiritual leader of Hurs of Sindh but also a national figure that enjoyed an enviable position in the politics of Pakistan. His death has created a great vacuum, Dr Sangi said. On the occasion, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Dean Prof Dr Abdul Hafiz said that Pir Pagara was a caring, patriotic and true Pakistani. Dr Hafiz said that the vacuum caused by his death could not be easily filled. Dr Nowshad Khan, dean, Faculty of Sciences, said there was no place for personal interests and corruption in his style of politics. Pir Pagara had rendered enormous religious services for which he would be remembered forever. Registrar Agha Hafizullah said Pir Pagara had played a vital role in settlement/rehabilitation work of the people who had migrated from India at the time of creation of Pakistan. Qasim Haider said contribution of the family of Pir Pagara in Pakistan movement and his own contribution for the defence of Pakistan in the wars of 1965 and 1971 would always be remembered. He added Pir Sahib was not only a political leader but a mentor of political leaders. At the end, Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies Dean Prof Ali Asghar Chishti prayed for his departed soul and grant of fortitude to the bereaved family and followers to bear this great loss.
