Dateline Report
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah attended the closing ceremonies of the 281st annual Urs Mubarak of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. Speaking to the media after visiting the dargah, he emphasized Sindh’s legacy as the land of Sufis and Saints, drawing parallels between the prayers of Shah Latif and his own prayers for blessings on Sindh, Pakistan, and the entire world. He underscored that Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s message is universal, promoting brotherhood and unity.
In response to a question about the federal invitation to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chief Minister Shah clarified that while he would not be attending, Bilawal Bhutto, as the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) with representation across all four provinces, would meet the Prime Minister to address national issues, not just those of Sindh. He assured that Bilawal would raise both provincial and national concerns during the meeting.
Addressing inquiries about law and order in Sindh, the Chief Minister highlighted the improvements made since February 2024, noting a significant decrease in street crime in Karachi and a reduction in kidnapping incidents across the province. He attributed these achievements to the collaborative efforts of the police, rangers, and army. He reiterated his government’s commitment to eradicating criminal elements and affirmed that with the prayers of Bhitai and Qalandar, Sindh would remain protected.
The Chief Minister also discussed infrastructure issues, particularly the need for the construction of the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway and improvements to the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway. He pointed out that while provincial roads in Sindh have been praised by visiting journalists from Punjab, the federal government needs to expedite motorway projects within the province.
Earlier in the day, Syed Murad Ali Shah visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif, where he laid a wreath, offered Fatiha, listened to the Kalam of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, and distributed clothes among the poor. Provincial Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Shah accompanied him during the visit.
Latif Award Ceremony:
Following his visit to the shrine, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah attended the Latif Award ceremony, where he distributed awards to individuals from various fields for their outstanding contributions. In his brief address, he expressed his pride in participating in the Urs ceremony and urged efforts to spread the teachings of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai worldwide. He emphasized the themes of love in Shah Latif’s poetry and called on the United Nations to heed the message of peace originating from Sindh, especially in light of the ongoing conflicts in Palestine and Kashmir.
The awards distributed included the Dargah Best Award to Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah Latifi, Best Suhgar Award to Gul Hasan Gul, Best Researcher Award to Dr. Nawaz Ali Shoq, Best Instrumental Player Award to Jai Ram Jogi, Best Dholak Nawaz Award to Muhammad Ramzan, and Best Singer Award to Sufi Faqir Manjhi. Additionally, Deputy Commissioner Matiari Muhammad Yusuf Sheikh and SSP Matiari Syed Asghar Shah were recognized for their exceptional arrangements for the Urs Mubarak.
