DADU: All is set for the 772nd Urs of Sufi saint Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, beginning on Thursday, as devotees have started arriving at Sehwan from across the country to participate in the three-day celebrations.

Authorities claimed to have finalised security, healthcare and other arrangements for the devotees.

Thousands of police personnel have been deployed as part of security measures. Besides, dozens of medical camps have been established in surrounding towns and along the Indus Highway. More than 50 ambulances have been provided in case of an emergency.

In a suicide bombing at the shrine in February 2017, at least 70 people were killed and more than 150 injured.

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Police claimed extraordinary security arrangements will be in place at all levels under solid and integrated linkages with other security agencies.

The police chief issued instructions to ensure deployment of bomb disposal teams to clear the premises of the shrine and the areas around it as well as all the routes leading to the entrance.

The police chief also issued order to enhance patrolling, picketing and snap-checking on the main highways and roads.

Jamshoro police said Sehwan city has been divided into eight security zones in which around 5,000 police personnel, including DSPs, are performing duties.

Along with removal of encroachment from roads leading to the shrine, officials have been directed to ensure parking arrangements at a reasonable distance from the shrine.

In case of any suspicious activity, bag, parcel, vehicle near the shrine, citizens have been request to immediately inform police helpline 15.

On the other hand, director of Syed Abdullah Shah Institute of Medical and Health Sciences Dr Moeenuddin Siddiqi said 350 beds and more than 50 ambulances have been allocated to provide health facilities to devotees.

He said 10 medical camps have been set up in areas between Jamshoro and Bhan Syedabad, besides over a dozen medical camps established along the Indus Highway.

During a visit, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah reviewed the arrangements and took briefing from Hyderabad commissioner and regional police head.

He was informed that a control room had been set up for monitoring the festivities with the help of CCTV cameras.

Mr Shah instructed the officials concerned to ensure water, washrooms and other facilities for the convenience of pilgrims.

Meanwhile, a dispute emerged between the Mela committee (organisers) and Sindh Tourism Development Corporation over a rest house, as the latter refused to hand it over to the Mela committee.

“The rest house has already been rented out,” the tourism official said. However, he added, the issue could be sorted out if the committee agreed to pay rent.

On the other hand, the committee chairman said as per past practice, rest houses were handed over to the district administration and organisers during the Urs celebrations.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2024