View From Piaza Raghza Towards Pir Ghar, South Waziristan, 1919 (c).
The mountain has often incorrectly been called Pir Gul or Pir Ghal. The correct name is Pre-Ghal. The Mahsuds say this name has nothing to do with the word "Ghal", meaning in Pashto a thief.
Pre-Ghal is a term denoting a very holy man, and they say that the tomb on the summit of the Pre-Ghal is that of a saintly Faqir who in very ancient times led a hermit's life in the forests of the mountains.
The shrine of Pre-Ghal is enclosed by rough wall of stones with the usual tall poles surmounted by little white flags ; attached to the shrine is a small square building for the shelter of the pilgrims. There is no custodian of the shrine, which is chiefly frequented by sinless men and barren women, as prayers offered there are said to be efficacious for the production of the offspring, especially male offspring.
Article Source - "Pre-Ghal in Waziristan", by W. R. Hay, The Geographical Journal, October 1928.
© Randolph Bezzant Holmes