Leap of faith: For some, Batihoon Pir is the ‘gateway’ to a happier life

The saint is said to reside between gates 32 and 33 of the Sukkur Barrage.

KARACHI:

A red flag bearing the name of the Almighty flutters atop a white pole wedged between gates 32 and 33 of the Sukkur Barrage. Nobody knows who fixed it there and when this was done.

But we do know that on May 18, a boat carrying 18 people who went there overturned. Only 16 emerged alive from the water. The unlucky people had been drawn to the spot by tales of Khawaja Khizar - a great saint whose spirit lingers around the flag, waiting to fulfill people’s wishes.

The saint isn’t as popular as Abdullah Shah Ghazi or Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. Nor is the edifice dedicated to him - a solitary flag atop a pole at the end of a pier - anywhere as spectacular as the ones of the popular saints. But for people living along the banks of the Indus River, the saint is all-powerful and alluring.

Imdad Mirani village is one such spot. Here, it seems as if everyone has their own tale to tell about the flag at the pier between gates 32 and 33. Most villagers refer to the flag as “Batihoon Pir” - the 32nd saint, the saint of gate number 32.



While talking to The Express Tribune, Mai Sukhan Mirani, a villager, said, “You get whatever you ask for - but this depends on your belief and intention. Another important thing is that your heart should be pure.” Another elderly woman, Mirzadi Mirani, also spoke excitedly of wonders the ‘great saint’ had bestowed upon her. “My son got married around ten years ago and I kept longing for grandchildren, but they never came.”

As she waited wistfully, she caught wind of the saint of gate number 32 and decided to try her luck there. “I went to see Batihoon Pir and now here I am with a grandson,” she said, pointing to the toddler in her lap as a wide smile began to spread on her creased face. “For those who don’t believe, that flag is just a piece of cloth. But for people like us, it’s the abode of Khawaja Khizar,” she said resolutely.

Mir Mohammad, a donkey cart driver, remembers the flag being fixed at gate number 32 for as far back as he can recall. “It’s been there since my childhood. I’ve seen lots of people going there and making wishes which eventually get fulfilled.”

Once the saint has done his part, people granted wishes return to the flag and toss bits of offal into the water for the fish. “They believe feeding fish appeases the saint,” said Mir Mohammad.

He was, however, aware of people trying to capitalise on the saint’s popularity in the area and putting lives at risk.

“Most of the boats are old, dilapidated and in need of major repair. But the owners are greedy and don’t want to spend money,” he said, adding that the reason the accident took place two weeks ago was because the owner let too many people on board.



The boat owners charge anywhere between Rs15 and Rs20 for a single passenger and allow around 20 people on board - more than the number the vessel can carry safely. Multiple trips are made in a single day to bump up earnings.

On the condition of anonymity, Sukkur Barrage officials said the flag has been there for over 30 years. “But we don’t know who put it there.” The demand to see the saint has put ideas into opportunists’ heads, they claim.

Just recently another flag has been fixed on the barrage’s left bank wall. “Some boat owners looking to make money are probably behind this. They’ve put up more flags to fool villagers and swindle them.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2013.