LARKANA: The Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) has hinted at inching up efforts to bring in its fold many heavy weights from across Sindh.

Syed Rashid Shah Rashdi, the Pir of Pagaro’s eldest son, warned the other day that “political heat” will rise in tandem with the summer temperature. He made the remarks at the Larkana Press Club alongside Barrister Hasnain Mirza and former Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) MPA Moazzam Ali Abbasi, shortly after addressing the District Bar Association.

“Realising the gravity of the situation, we have intensified our efforts to reach out to allies across the country,” stated Syed Rashid Shah. He noted that Moazzam Abbasi, the popular former GDA MPA from Larkana, and Muhammad Khan Junejo from Sanghar have already joined forces with them. “Very shortly, a prominent political figure from Badin will also join our ranks,” he added.

Appreciating the local government system introduced by General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, he stated his support for a devolution model that truly benefits the grassroots. He drew a parallel between the spirit of the 18th Amendment and the strengthening of district-level governance, while simultaneously criticising the current Sindh government for obstructing the empowerment of local bodies.

He asserted that corruption is the hallmark of the current Sindh administration, claiming it has devastated education, healthcare and other vital sectors. He further alleged that the ruling party was propelled to power by presiding officers rather than the will of the people. Highlighting his party’s legacy, the son of the Pir of Pagaro stated that PML-F prime minister Muhammad Khan Junejo maintained an unblemished reputation, adding that their party remained untainted by corruption regardless of the governments they joined as allies.

Time is not far when the PML-F along with its sympathisers would extensively visit the union councils to muster support for future. Answering a question, he said Junior Zulfikar Bhutto was in touch and had expressed his willingness to be part of the alliance but he would definitely contact and consult Ms Ghinwa Bhutto and his sister Fatima Bhutto prior to arriving at a decision. He is the real heir of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pir’s son commented.

In reply to another query regarding the MQM’s demand of dividing Sindh and carving out a new province, he said the ‘demand’ would die itself if the districts were strengthened in real sense about trickling down the local bodies powers. “We are concentrating on poor people’s welfare and planning to frame policies to serve those surviving amidst rising poverty graph.,” He added.

The son of the Pir of Pagaro praised the Chief of Defence Force’s role in facilitating talks between the US and Iranian delegates in Islamabad, stating that such diplomatic efforts have bolstered the prestige of the Pakistani passport globally. He added that the chief’s “sincere and honest” contributions to international diplomacy would be long remembered and appreciated.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2026