Punjab Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf Dr Ahsan Bhutta has said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed all departments to ensure the best possible facilities for devotees attending the annual Urs of Hazrat Ali Hajveri (Data Ganj Bakhsh).
He expressed these views while reviewing development and administrative arrangements during a field inspection of the Data Darbar complex, here on Saturday. The visit was attended by Chief Engineer TEPA Iqrar Ahmad, Chief Engineer C&W Muhammad Ashraf, SE C&W Muhammad Isa, XEN C&W Fahad Naveed, Director Projects Auqaf Rafiq Wattoo, Project Director TEPA Muhammad Asad, Data Darbar Administrator Muhammad Ali and XEN Auqaf Qaiser Munir.
The inspection began with prayers at the shrine, after which Dr Bhutta reviewed the progress and completion timelines of ongoing development schemes. During an inspection of the central courtyard with the C&W team, he directed officials to expedite construction of the slab and complete the work by July 25, well before the commencement of the Urs celebrations.
Reviewing the basement, front plaza and pedestrian underpass projects with TEPA and LDA officials, he instructed that all external works being carried out by TEPA should also be completed by July 25 to ensure smooth traffic management and facilitate the movement of devotees.
Secretary Dr Bhutta said the essential components required for the Urs would be made fully operational before the event, while work on the remaining phases of the mega development project would continue in an organised manner, with overall completion scheduled for June 2027.
He also inspected the newly constructed parking facility at the former Parinda Market site and designated public toilet blocks, directing officials to complete all remaining finishing work without delay. Stressing inter-departmental coordination, Dr Bhutta said no delay in the priority works would be tolerated, as the government was committed to providing devotees with a safe, dignified and convenient spiritual experience during the Urs.