HYDERABAD: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday offered Fateha at the shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar on the concluding day of the Urs celebrations, laid a floral wreath on the shrine.
Talking to media on the occasion, the Chief Minister said he was fortunate to attend the concluding ceremony of the Urs, and prayed for peace and prosperity in the country.
He said that security threats had emerged following an incident in Islamabad three to four days earlier, due to which stringent security arrangements were made.
He acknowledged that these measures might have caused inconvenience to devotees and added that efforts are made every year to further improve arrangements. He said the arrangements this year were satisfactory and any shortcomings would be addressed in the future.
The Chief Minister informed that around three million devotees attended the three-day Urs. With the increasing number of devotees every year, he stressed the need for even better arrangements in the future.
Referring to the price hike by shopkeepers during Ramazan, contrary to international trends where prices are reduced during religious festivals, he said that a better strategy had been adopted this time to control the prices of wheat and flour.
Responding to a question regarding extrajudicial killings, he said a judicial inquiry had been ordered and made it clear that such incidents would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He added that the Pakistan Peoples Party government had always raised its voice for journalists’ rights, but journalists must also adhere to professional ethics.
Highlighting development works in Sehwan Sharif, he said that a nursing school was being established and a vocational training programme was being arranged. He emphasized that employment opportunities for youth could not be created without equipping them with skills.
The Chief Minister disclosed that the provincial government had requested the federal government to purchase one million tons of wheat, for which a uniform policy had been issued. He added that strict measures were being taken against corruption and several individuals had been removed from service.
Provincial Minister for Auqaf Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi, Provincial Minister for Culture Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, PPP Jamshoro District President Syed Asif Ali Shah, Commissioner Hyderabad Division Fayyaz Hussain Abbasi, DIG Hyderabad Tariq Razzaq Dharejo, Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro Ghazanfar Ali Qadri, SSP Jamshoro Muhammad Zafar Siddiq Chhanga, Chief Administrator Auqaf Mukhtiar Ali Abro, Chairman Sehwan Municipal Committee Syed Shahzad Haider Shah, and others were present on the occasion.
Earlier, Provincial Minister for Auqaf Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi presented the Chief Minister with a Sindhi Ajrak and cap, while Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro Ghazanfar Ali Qadri presented a commemorative shield.
Later, the Chief Minister visited the medical camp established in the courtyard of the shrine and distributed clothes among poor women.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026