With Elections Around The Corner In Pakistan, Nominees Seek Blessings Of Desi Shrines
Former Pakistan PM Raja Pervez Ashraf of Pakistan People¡¯s Party, who is contesting from Rawalpindi and faces a triangular contest, has also offered prayers through his priest at Ajmer dargah.
Pakistan national assembly election on July 25 has a Rajasthan connection. Many of the candidates are seeking ¡°blessings¡± from Sufi shrines in India, including the shrine of Khawaja Gharib Nawaz in Ajmer.
Syed Imran Shah Wali of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, who is contesting from Sahiwal in Punjab province, has vowed to visit the dargah if he wins. The two-time member of national assembly has offered prayers through his priest at the shrine.
Former Pakistan PM Raja Pervez Ashraf of Pakistan People¡¯s Party, who is contesting from Rawalpindi and faces a triangular contest, has also offered prayers through his priest at Ajmer dargah.
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Ashraf, who visited the shrine as prime minister in 2013, is waiting for a second visit with his family. ¡°My only wish and prayer is to see my party emerge as the single largest party in polls. Our party is committed to maintaining good relations with neighbours, especially India.¡±
Syed Bilal Chishti, a khadim (priest) at the dargah who has offered prayers for Pakistan political leaders, including presidents and prime ministers, said he is flooded with request to offer prayers. ¡°Our prayers are with those parties who will walk the path of the Sufi saint and work for an egalitarian society.¡±
