Spiritual gathering: Committee finalises Data Darbar urs preparations

Minister Ishaq Dar directs officials to take strict security measures.

LAHORE: A meeting to finalise arrangements of the three-day 971st urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri was held on Monday.

The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar.

Auqaf Secretary Hassan Rizvi said that a large number of police and volunteers would be deputed at shrine’s gates. “Walk-through gates will also be installed and metal detectors will be provided to the security staff,” he said.

Rizvi said that Rescue 1122 staff would also be deputed at the shrine. “A control room will be set up at the darbar. The movement of devotees will be checked through eight cameras at the gates,” he said.



He said that encroachments alongside darbar had been removed and arrangements had been made for providing drinking water. “A traffic plan has been prepared to ensure the smooth flow of traffic during urs days with the help of traffic wardens,” he said.

“Doctors and staff of the Data Darbar Hospital, Munshi Hospital and Mayo Hospital will be deputed for providing immediate first aid to devotees and provision of all necessary medicines will be ensured,” he said.

Rizvi said that three ambulances would also be provided to the medical staff.

Dar directed the heads of all government departments to make foolproof security arrangements for devotees. “The protection of lives is our top priority. No negligence will be tolerated in this regard,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2014.