Bibian Pakdaman: Auqaf to keep shrine open two days

LHC orders the Auqaf Department to keep Bibian Pakdaman's shrine open on June 16 and 17.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday ordered the Auqaf Department to keep the shrine of Bibian Pakdaman open on the eve of Hazrat Ali’s (RA) birth anniversary on June 16 and 17 and sought reply from the Auqaf secretary by next week. Justice Umar Ata Bandial of the Lahore High Court was hearing a petition by a citizen Waqarul Hasan, who said that all shrines across Punjab were closed at 8 pm due to security concerns. He said the early closure of the shrines was illegal and deprived the visitors of late night attendance. He said that it was the government’s responsibility to provide security throughout the day and closing shrines early was not a solution. He said that Rajab 13 and 14 marked the birth anniversary of Hazrat Ali (RA) and thousands of devotees were looking forward to visit the Bibian Pakdaman shrine. He said that during these days the devotees recited the Quran and said special prayers throughout the night.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2011.