HYDERABAD: Pir Saheb Pagaro today [May 9] categorically ruled out any possibility of a rift in the rank and file of the United Democratic Front despite diversity of views, and added that the 13 points of the UDF represent perfect unanimity … of all its constituent parties.

Pir Saheb was extremely optimistic of the thumping victory of the UDF in the elections, which he said were now inevitable. … Replying to a question, Pir Saheb said that he had been in active politics since 1953 and added that the credit for this did not go to President Bhutto. He, however, was of the view that his participation in active politics had given a momentum to political activity in the country and the credit for this … surely went to the misdeeds of the present Government.

He claimed the support of Mr Asghar Khan and was confident that eventually the Tehrik-i-Istiqlal would also join the UDF. Earlier Pir Saheb Pagaro and other UDF leaders were received by his friends and admirers 18 miles away from Hyderabad on the Super-Highway and were accorded a big ovation. They were brought to the city in a big procession. — Staff Correspondent

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2023