Ishaq opens canopies at Data Ganj Bakhsh shrine

LAHORE : Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar inaugurated canopies of Masjid-e-Nabvi-style at the Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh shrine premises, here on Saturday.

Speaking to the media, he said Nawaz Sharif had led the country on the path to development. He said if the government of Nawaz Sharif had not been overthrown in 2014, the country would have progressed manifold by now. Dar said that running the economy was not like turning on or off a switch, adding they were trying hard to solve the public problems under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He said inflation was decreasing due to efforts of the PMLN led government, that had made Pakistan a nuclear power. “Now, it will also make it an economic power,” he added. He said that with the grace of Almighty Allah, terrorism would be eradicated soon.

Ishaq Dar said that he would solve the electricity problems soon and give relief to people. He told the media that any attack on national security institutions was government’s red line, and if any one tried to cross the red line, then there was no room for him here.

Replying to a query regarding May 9 incidents, Ishaq Dar said that the law was making its way, and the criminals of May 9 would be brought to justice. Meanwhile, a large number of people thronged Data Ganj Bakhsh shrine on Saturday, the first day of his annual urs celebrations.

The 981st urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh started with laying of a multicolored chador on grave of the saint. A large number of devotees visited the shrine for prayers and needs, while pilgrims would also arrange for ‘langar’ [free food] and distribution of free milk. The urs celebrations would continue for three days, from August 24 to August 26. The Auqaf Department has been allocated Rs 13.5 million for making arrangements of ‘langar’ for visitors and for other events.

The Auqaf secretary briefed the media regarding the urs arrangements here.

Deputy Prime Minister M Ishaq Dar inaugurated the urs celebrations on Saturday.

The secretary said special security arrangements included installation of 144 security and closed-circuit cameras, establishment of a separate control room, 18 LCD’s will also be installed by the police department for the protection of pilgrims.

Also, 4,000 police personnel, including three SPs, 7 DSPs, 216 policemen would be deployed in two shifts day and night for walk-through widgets, metal detectors and special cleaning measures at the entrances of the tomb.

During urs, all arrangements and the establishment of camp offices of other departments for the convenience of the public, establishment of help countres, for convenience of pilgrims.

Extensive parking arrangements have been made at Central Model High School-II, Retigan Road, Muslim School No.

II and Data Darbar Hospital Lahore.

During Urs, bomb disposal squad will also be present all the time.

In addition, rescue 1122 staff along with ambulance and motorcycle rescue will be present all the time to provide immediate medical aid in case of emergency.