- Dar says development work, including the shrine’s internal height enhancement and improved circulation space, progressing rapidly
LAHORE: The 982nd Annual Ghusal Mubarak Ceremony of the shrine of revered Sufi saint Hazrat Al-Shaikh Al-Syed Ali Bin Usman Al-Hajveri (RA), widely known as Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, was observed with great religious devotion and reverence here on Saturday.
The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by soul-stirring Naat recitations by renowned Naat khawans. The traditional ghusal of the shrine was performed with rosewater, accompanied by Chadar Poshi and the laying of floral wreaths. Special prayers were offered for the peace, prosperity, and stability of Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar attended the ceremony as chief guest. He was accompanied by Provincial Ministers Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Bilal Yaseen, and other dignitaries, including the CCPO, departmental secretaries, and prominent religious leaders.
Officials briefed him on key development projects underway at Data Darbar, including traffic management upgrades, extension of the various parts of the Darbar, and architectural enhancements inspired by the umbrella-style canopies of Masjid-e-Nabawi.
Later, talking to the media, Ishaq Dar expressed his deep respect for the spiritual and cultural legacy of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA). He commended the Punjab government, particularly Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, for approving and facilitating ongoing expansion projects at the shrine.
He informed that the development work, including the shrine’s internal height enhancement and improved circulation space, is progressing rapidly and is being sponsored by the Madina Foundation. “Our collective aim is to complete these projects before next year’s Ghusal ceremony,” he stated.
Ishaq Dar recalled that the first major expansion of the shrine took place in 1999 under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which doubled its area. He added that the ongoing initiatives aim to triple its capacity to better accommodate devotees.
The Deputy Prime Minister credited former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s tenure from 2013 to 2016 for economic stability, stating that Pakistan had become the 24th largest economy with inflation at a historic low of 2 percent, and growth at 6 percent. He said that the current government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is working diligently to revive the economy and restore investor confidence. He noted that Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and defense successes have earned it global respect. “Pakistan has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for two years and assumed its presidency this month,” he informed, adding that the country is playing a constructive role in regional peace, including support for the Iranian people during recent Israeli aggression.
To a question regarding coalition politics, he dispelled rumors of any rift with the PPP. “They are our allies, and we have full support from them. We are committed to implementing the signed agreements between PML-N and PPP in letter and spirit,” he assured.
To another query, Ishaq Dar said the country was on the brink of default in 2022 but was steered away from crisis due to difficult decisions taken by the PDM government. “Our reserves have now reached $14.5 billion as of June 30. Inflation has decreased significantly, and interest rates have come down by half,” he added.
