Sindh Govt declares public holiday on 15th November over Bhittai’s Urs

KARACHI: The Government of Sindh has declared a public holiday on Tuesday November 15 on the occasion of the Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.

A notification has been issued which states that 14 Safar 1438 of the Islamic calendar will be a public holiday across the province due to the 273th Urs of the Sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.

All provincial and district offices, local councils, autonomous as well as semi-autonomous bodies, corporations except essential services will remain closed across the province.

Also public and private schools and colleges will remained closed across the province. However, it is advised to check with respective institutions for confirmation.

Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was a noted Sindhi Sufi mystic, saint and poet. He is widely considered to be the greatest Muslim poet of the Sindhi language.

Shah Latif often retreated in solitude and devoted his time in prayers and meditation. His collected poems were assembled in the compilation ‘Shah Jo Risalo.’

His shrine is located in Bhit Shah, approximately sixty kilometers from Hyderabad.

Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) AD Khawaja on Sunday directed that concrete and extraordinary security arrangements be made on the occasion of the 273rd Urs of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.

He also instructed that cooperation be extended to the management and concerned organisation for the elimination of encroachments from the vicinity of the shrine.

The IGP also called for the deployment of both uniformed and plain-clothed police officials inside and around the dargah, besides the main entry points. He instructed that effective and coordinated arrangements be made for the police patrolling, picketing, surveillance. There should also

be technical sweeping and clearance as well, he added.

The IGP directed that security be beefed up at all mosques, imam barghas, mazars, religious places of the minorities, important government and private buildings and offices.