Born in 1949 in Sindh’s Hyderabad region, Pir Mazharul Haq comes from one of the most politically influential families of Sindh. He has been associated with Pakistan Peoples Party for over three decades and recently served as Sindh’s education minister.

A grandson of former Sindh chief minister Pir Ellahi Bux, Pir Mazhar joined PPP when others had begun to scout for alternatives after the imposition of Ziaul Haq’s martial law.

His political career had a moving forward in 1988 when he won a Sindh Assembly seat from the province’s Dadu region. Prior to his win in 2008, he was elected to the Sindh Assembly on four occasions – 1988-90, 1990-93, 1993-96, 1997-99.

Pir Mazhar could not win in the 2002 election during which he was in self-imposed exile. However, his daughter Marvi Mazhar was returned to the Sindh Assembly at the time.

During his association with PPP, he was incarcerated in 15 prisons, including the Machh Jail, mostly on account of his political affiliation. However, he has remained clung to the party.

Apart from his recent assignment, he has also served as a minister in previous provincial governments (in 1988 and 1993). He has also served in various positions within PPP.

— Research and text by Saher Baloch