Provide security to Manghopir shrine, court tells law enforcers

The bench also directed the Auqaf department to maintain the shrine.

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday directed the Rangers and police to make adequate security arrangements at the shrine of Sufi saint Pir Mangho in Manghopir and the crocodile sanctuary, which have been closed due to threats from the Taliban.

The bench, headed by Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, also directed the Auqaf department for the maintenance of the shrine. These directives were issued while the bench heard a petition filed by the shrine’s custodian, Syed Shah Ghulam Mohiuddin Sharafi Firdousi, who had sought a court direction to the authorities concerned for protection and maintenance of the shrine.

He alleged that the provincial Auqaf department’s chief administrator, administrator and the shrine’s manager were collecting money from the shrine but they were not maintaining the shrine, a graveyard and other properties due to which visitors were facing difficulties. “The authorities failed to protect the 17-acre property belonging to the shrine that includes the shrine, a crocodile pond and graveyard,” he said, adding that land mafia may encroach upon the land.

On Thursday, the judges ordered the Auqaf department officials to ensure maintenance of the shrine. On a request from the petitioner’s lawyer, the bench also directed the Rangers and police to provide back-up to the Auqaf officials during maintenance work. The plea was disposed of.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2015.