The 282nd Urs of renowned Sufi saint and poet Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was inaugurated at his shrine in Sindh, marking the start of three days of religious and cultural celebrations. The ceremony began with prayers and the laying of a chadar, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Sindh’s Provincial Minister for Culture Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah.
Addressing the media after the ceremony, Governor Kundi discussed national security, regional peace, and the country’s internal political climate. He emphasized Pakistan’s longstanding pursuit of peace despite historical conflicts with India, particularly over the Kashmir dispute. He noted that Pakistan has continued to advocate for Kashmir diplomatically and condemned what he described as Indian aggression and miscalculations regarding Pakistan’s military and economic strength. The governor praised the swift response of the Pakistan Air Force in defending the nation and credited national unity for the country’s resilience during periods of conflict, acknowledging the sacrifices of the armed forces and martyrs.
Governor Kundi highlighted the efforts of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Prime Minister in presenting the Kashmir issue on international platforms, aiming to diplomatically isolate India. He commended the Pakistani media for its responsible coverage and criticized the Indian media for spreading inconsistent messages. The governor also called for unity and vigilance against individuals who promote division through negative politics, urging law enforcement, security forces, and the public to work together to eliminate terrorism and uphold law and order. He advocated tough penalties for attacks on state installations to strengthen the rule of law.
On domestic politics, Governor Kundi stated there was no conspiracy to overthrow the current government and reaffirmed the opposition’s constitutional rights. He commented that the public no longer supports PTI’s leadership, saying their rallies have lost momentum and that people are now focused on development, peace, and stability.
Provincial Minister for Culture Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah paid homage to Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s legacy of advocating for women’s rights and spreading messages of peace and unity. He announced that Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti would attend the religious festivities, while thanking Governor Kundi for participating in the inaugural ceremony. The minister highlighted the significance of celebrating the urs alongside Independence Day festivities, enhancing its importance.
Discussing the region’s rich traditions, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah noted that the ajrak, a symbolic traditional cloth, represents Sindh’s cultural identity and is used to honor guests. As part of the celebrations, Governor Kundi listened to spiritual songs at the shrine, distributed gifts to underprivileged women, inaugurated a cultural village, visited local handicraft stalls, attended a folk music session, and toured the HT Soorli Hall in Bhitshah. Matiari Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Yusuf Shaikh, SSP Ijaz Memon, and other officials joined the governor for these events.
