Data Darbar Urs ceremonies conclude

Cop, citizen faint during Chehlum procession in hot, humid weather

LAHORE:

The 983rd Urs of Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri concluded on Tuesday after devotees from across Pakistan and abroad paid respects at the shrine.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar offered Fateha at the shrine as the three-day commemoration entered its concluding phase.

The shrine administration arranged round-the-clock langar, milk sabeels and chilled drinking wa-ter, besides medical camps, ablution facilities, sanitation services, parking and assistance teams for visitors.

Police and other law enforcement personnel were deployed around the shrine and adjoining ar-eas. CCTV cameras were activated and a control room established to monitor activities, while volunteers were deployed to guide visitors.

Personnel were also called from police training colleges for security duties during the Urs and Chehlum.

The traffic police deployed 15 forklifts and four breakdown vehicles at strategic points to re-move illegally parked vehicles and prevent congestion.

In addition, five parking stands were established, while roads around Data Darbar were closed as part of security arrangements.

Routes leading towards the shrine from Kachehri Chowk, Bhati Chowk and Pir Makki were closed along with Lower Mall Road from District Courts Chowk to the Pir Makki U-turn.

Traffic from Shahdara towards Lower Mall was diverted towards the Railway Station along with those from Chouburji Chowk.

A local holiday was observed in Lahore.

Over 10,000 police personnel had deployed in the provincial capital on the occasion.

Chehlum security

According to Punjab Police, over 42,000 officials were deployed across the province to secure 730 gatherings and 420 mourning processions. In Lahore, security was provided for 44 gather-ings and 17 processions.

The main Chehlum procession began from Haveli Alif Shah and culminated at Karbala Gamay Shah.

Traffic was diverted from19 locations in the city to facilitate mourners and devotees.