KHAIRPUR: The last ruler of Khairpur's former princely state, His Highness Mir Ali Murad Khan Talpur II, passed away at the age of 93 years. His son, Prince Mir Mehdi Raza Talpur, confirmed the demise of his father. He said that Mir Ali Murad Khan Talpur-II was under treatment at a private hospital in Sukkur.
With the demise of Mir Ali Murad, a chapter of princely-state rulers has ended in Pakistan. As per official records, he was born on 29th June 1933 in Brighton, England and succeeded his father as the ruler of Khairpur at the age of 14. In 1954 the late ruler approved accession and merger of his sovereign state of 16,000 square kilometres with Pakistan in 1954. The princely state of Khairpur Mirs had joined Pakistan initially on 3rd October 1947. Upon his succession as ruler he was bestowed with the title of His Highness by the British Government.
He is credited with establishing an industrial zone in Khairpur and other areas of northern Sindh, as well as taking steps to introduce educational stipends for needy students. Following what he described as betrayals during his rule, he parted ways with politics and spent a major part of his life in seclusion, his son, Mir Mehdi, said in an interview with a private television channel in 2011.
According to some local historians, he withdrew from social life amid political tensions, power struggles and insecurity. However, he continued to receive the same honour and respect from the people of his district and different parts of Sindh as that accorded to a king until his last breath.
People belonging to different walks of life, including former Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, and Halar Khan Wassan among others expressed deep grief upon his demise. The Deputy Commissioner of Khairpur announced 6th October as a Public Holiday across the district to mourn the death of the former ruler and the traders' association also announced a complete suspension of business activities across the district.