Notable Personalities

 

Sayed Hafiz Haji Ali Nawaz Shah (My Father)      

 

Hafiz-e-Quran, a remarkable individual and dedicated social worker, led Salat Taraweeh at Jamia Masjid Matiari for an impressive span of 50 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sayed Allah Obhayo Shah (My Brother)

A scientist who developed a type of paper that does not decay.

 

 

 

Sayed Abdul Kareem Shah Bulri Waro

He was born in a Sayed family in Matiari, presently in eastern Sindh. Since he spent most of his life in Bulri, a village in the Tando Muhammad Khan, the word Bulri is often appended to his name. As his father died when he was young, he was brought up by his mother and elder brother Syed Jalal. From childhood, he took a keen interest in matters related to God and spirituality and often did not pay attention to the lessons taught at school and instead spent his time immersed in thoughts of God. He frequently went to mystical gatherings where sermons accompanied by rural music were sung. This affected him so much that little by little he started to compose his poetry.
When he was of age, Shah Abdul Karim married as per the wish of his elder brother Syed Jalal Shah. He met a very devout individual in his local mosque named Sultan Ibrahim and, impressed by him, became his disciple. After the death of his elder brother, to take care of his family, he became a laborer as per the advice of Sultan Ibrahim. Shah Abdul Karim imposed a very stringent discipline on himself which few people around him knew of. He used to work in the day with interludes for prayer. In the night, he used to walk around the locality filling any earthen pots he found empty. As he grew older he wrote many spiritual poems in Sindhi and used them as a device to express his love for the Divine. During his old age, he was highly respected by the people and had several disciples. His poetry and malfuzat appeared for the first time in Bayan al-Arifin wa Tanbih al-Ghafilin, a Persian work, written by a disciple he had later in his life named Mir Daryai Tharawi, in 1630, seven years after his death. One of the major poets of Sindhi, Shah Karim Bulri has been called the Chaucer of Sindhi Literature.

Sayed Abdul Lateef Shah Bhitai

Born to a Kazmi Sayed family of Hala Haweli (near Matiari) originating from Herat, He grew up in Matiari. At the age of around 20, he left home and traveled throughout Sindh and neighboring lands, and met many mystics and Jogis, whose influence is evident in his poetry. Returning home after three years, he was married into an aristocratic family but was widowed shortly afterward and did not remarry. His piety and spirituality attracted a large following as well as the hostility of a few. Spending the last years of his life at Bhit (Bhit Shah), he died in 1752. A mausoleum was built over his grave in subsequent years and became a popular pilgrimage site. His poems were compiled by his disciples in his Shah Jo Risalo. It was first published in 1866. Several Urdu and English translations of the work have been published since. Bhittai’s poetry is popular among the people of Sindh and he is venerated throughout the province. Bhittai was born in 1689 or 1690 in Hala Haweli near modern-day Hala, to Shah Habib, a great-grandson of the Sufi poet Shah Abdul Karim Bulri. His ancestors traced their lineage back to the fourth caliph Ali and Fatima, the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. They had emigrated to Sindh from Herat during the late 14th century. Bhittai spent the early years of his childhood in Hala Haweli, but the family then relocated to the nearby town of Kotri Mughal. Local tradition holds that he was illiterate, however, his use of Arabic and Persian in his poetry and the evident influence of the Persian poet Rumi on his thought show that he was well-educated. At the age of around 20, he fell in love with Saida Begum, a daughter of an Arghun aristocrat of Kotri Mughal, Mirza Mughal Beg, which landed Bhittai’s family in trouble and caused them to return to Hala Haweli. Her love, however, had a deep impact on young Bhittai and he left home wandering deserts and embarking on travel through Sindh and adjacent lands.

Hazrat Hafiz Haji Pir Sayed Sakhi Rukun din Shah

Hazrat Haji Hafiz Wali Kamil Sahib Shariat Scholar Rabbani Kazmi Syed Pir Rakanuddin Shah Reh Mutalavi Sadat Matari Sharif Sindh was born on the significant day of 12 Rabi al-Awwal in the year 912 Hijri, during the Fajr prayer. His father, Hazrat Syed Habib Shah, was a devout guardian of Allah. By the age of 15, he had mastered the sciences of Sharia and memorized the entire Quran, and at 16, he began preaching in his elders’ mosque in Mubarak. Known for his ascetic lifestyle, he often engaged in fasting, speaking little, and sleeping less. He sought the company of many spiritual leaders, but it was his meeting with Hazrat Makhdoom Sahar Bilawali Pir Rah that led him to join the Salasla Alia Suhrawardia Kabarwiyya at the age of 18. At 25, he was instructed by his mentor to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and married that same year, fathering two sons and a daughter. Throughout his life, he undertook two Hajj journeys on foot, dedicated himself to religious service, and aided the community with his blessings. His funeral prayers were conducted by his father and mentor, Makhdoom Sahar Sawai Bilawi Badshah, with the participation of Hazrat Makhdoom Noah Sarwar. His annual Urs is commemorated at his Dargah on the first Friday of Rabi al-Thani, under the grace of Allah Almighty, who is asked to accept the charitable acts and prayers of all.

 

Hazrat Pir Sayed Sakhi Hashim Shah

Hazrat Sayed Sakhi Hashim Shah, a distinguished religious leader from Matiari, was born on the 12th of Rabiul Awal in the year 1057 Hijri, in the area now referred to as Pirzada Mohalla. He was the great-grandson of Hazrat Sakhi Rukun ud din Shah. His father, Sayed Adam Shah, had five sons: Sayed Jan Muhammad Shah, Sayed Inayat Shah, Hazrat Sakhi Hashim Shah, Sayed Fateh Khan Shah, and Sayed Pir Muhammad Hussain Shah, who was also known as Sayed Sikandar Shah. His revered mother, recognized for her piety, was known as Qalandar Bibi, the daughter of Sayed Pir Rabdino Shah. Hazrat Sakhi Hashim Shah entered into matrimony on the 26th of Rabi ul Saani in 1079 Hijri, with his marriage ceremony held at Masjid Rabbi. He had two sons: Sayed Pir Allahyar Shah and Sayed Bhooro Shah. His father, Sayed Adam Shah, passed away on the 3rd of Rabius Sani in 1090 Hijri. Notably, the esteemed Sufi saint and poet, Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, spent part of his formative years in the company of Hazrat Sakhi Hashim Shah. Additionally, it is reported that his father, Sayed Habib Shah, resided in Matiari and often visited Sayed Adam Shah. Furthermore, it is claimed that Hazrat Shah Abdul Karim Bulri Waro was born in Matiari on the 20th of Shaban in 944 Hijri.

 

 

 

Pir Sayed Muhammad Zaman Shah

A Sympathetic, loving Person

 

 

 

 

 

Pir Sayed Noor Shah

A Sympathetic, loving Person, Ex-MPA

 

 

 

 

Sayed Zulifqar Ali Shah Jamot

Sayed Zulfiqar Ali Shah Jamot, born on April 15, 1941, in Matiari, was a prominent political figure in Pakistan, having served as a two-time Senator and Federal Minister from Sindh. At the time of his passing, he held the position of leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (F).

Originating from Matiari, He was married and fathered three children. His tenure as a senator spanned from 1985 to 1994 and again from 1991 to 1997. During this period, he chaired several standing committees, including those focused on defense, foreign affairs, and labor. In 1993, he held the role of Federal Minister for Population Welfare during the interim government.

Additionally, he served as the President of the Pakistan Muslim League (F) and led the Safari and Outdoor Club of Pakistan. He passed away in a private hospital in Karachi and was laid to rest in Matiari, where his funeral drew a significant crowd. In a gesture of respect, businesses in Matiari remained closed.

Dr. Sayed Shafqat Ali Shah Jamot 

Dr. Sayed Shafqat Ali Shah Jamote is a professional agriculturalist who serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Matiari Sugar Mills and Matol Pvt. Ltd. He has played a pivotal role in advancing agriculture-based industrial production in the lower Sindh region. Dr. Jamote’s political career includes serving as the Federal Minister for Agriculture from 1999 to 2000, as well as holding the position of Sindh’s Provincial Minister for Education, Sports, and Culture from 1985 to 1986, and for Industries and Agriculture from 1986 to 1988. He has also been a consistent faculty member at the University of Sindh and has served as a visiting assistant professor at the Woodrow Wilson Department of Government and Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia. Presently, he is focused on the development of Matiari Hospital, a healthcare facility intended to benefit the residents of his hometown and the surrounding rural areas of Sindh.

Sayed Shafqat Ali Shah is a distinguished business leader with a wealth of experience across multiple sectors. He holds dual Master’s degrees in Foreign Affairs and Political Science from the University of Virginia, where he also earned his Ph.D. in 1977. His doctoral research was centered on “The Political and Strategic Foundation of International Arms Transfers.”

Beyond his academic achievements, he has actively participated in senior management seminars and conferences, representing Pakistan at various international gatherings. His strategic foresight and leadership have driven Matiari Sugar Mills in the development, implementation, and refinement of critical strategies that align with the company’s objectives and meet stakeholder expectations. He is responsible for overseeing the organization to ensure optimal profitability and the effective use of resources and human capital.

In addition to his responsibilities at Matiari Sugar Mills Ltd., he currently occupies the following positions:

• Chief Executive, Matol (Pvt.) Limited 
• Chief Executive, Matiari Flour Mills (Pvt.) Limited 
• Director, Condor Security (Pvt.) Limited 
• Director, Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd. (OGDCL) 

 

Sayed Haji Jalal Shah

A Sympathetic, loving Person, Ex-MPA, Ex-Minister

 

 

 

 

Pir Sayed Ameer Ali Shah Hashmi

A Sympathetic, loving Person, President Pakistan People’s Party District Matiari, Ex-MPA

 

 

 

 

 

Akhund Noor Ahmed

Ex-General Manager of PTCL

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hidayatullah Abbasi

A Great Lawyer

 

 

 

 

Dr. K.Y. Ansari

Dr. K.Y (Qader Bukhsh Yar Muhammad ) Ansari (1923-2000)Dr.K.Y Ansari was born in Matiari on 27th December 1923.After getting an early education here, he went to Bombay for higher education and returned home in 1947 after getting the M.B.B.S degree. After the creation of Pakistan, he was the first Muslim Doctor working as an honorary surgeon in Sindh. In 1951 he became R.M.O and in the same year, when Hyderabad Medical College started, he became its first Principal. In 1954 he passed the examination of F.R.C.S from London, where Zulifqar Ali Bhutto became his friend, who was working as a lecturer in South Hamilton. He served at Hyderabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Larkana, and Shikarpur.