HYDERABAD, Jan 13: The Pakistan Broadcasting Corpor-ation has been asked to launch the Bhit Shah FM radio channel on the eve of sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s Urs.

A meeting to review the arrangements for the Urs presided over by Sindh Secretary for Cultural and Tourism Shams Jafrani at the Bhit Shah Rest House was told this on Saturday.

Mr Jafrani had asked the PBC to give live coverage to the events of the celebrations.

As part of the event, three new books would be launched by the Sindh culture department on Shah Latif and the history of Sindh.

“Shah Jo Sur Kedaro” has been compiled by the Sindh Culture Department, “History of Sindhi Society and culture” written by Dr G.A. Allana and “Melodies of Shah” volume-III has been written by Agha Saleem and would be launched on the eve of Urs.

The arrangements to celebrate the 264th annual Urs of the great sufi legend in a befitting manner and under foolproof security were discussed at the meeting.

Mr Jafrani asked the DPO to adopt foolproof security measures.

A representative of the Sajjada Nasheen of the shrine, Nazan Sain, Matiari DCO Mohammad Usman Chachar, DPO Mohammad Yaqoob Almani and representatives of other government departments attended the meeting.

The DCO was appointed head of a committee to oversee the arrangements with the representatives from all participating departments of Sindh government.

Mr Jafrani directed the officers concerned to carry out repair, renovation and decoration works of the shrine, auditorium and rest house in a tasteful manner and asked the officers of the irrigation department to fill the Karar Lake 15 days before the commencement of urs.

He said sub-committees would be formed to ensure proper sanitation, water supply, street lighting and lavatories to facilitate devotees expected during the event.

A bus terminal would be set up outside Bhit Shah town and proper arrangements for smooth traffic flow would be made.

A Sughar conference, a literary conference and a cultural show would be arranged during the Urs celebrations while the Agriculture department, Animal Husbandry department, Forest department and other provincial departments had been invited to arrange their stalls to highlight their performance and to create awareness among the people about rural areas and life.

Health department was asked to arrange medical facilities on the spot and at the hospitals of adjacent areas to provide medical aid and to cope with any emergency.