By Our Correspondent
LAHORE, Dec 27, 2025 — Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab, Dr Ehsan Bhutta, has said that the timeless message of Sufi saints continues to guide society towards peace, tolerance and spiritual enlightenment, adding that serving devotees at sacred shrines in line with the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz and under the supervision of the Chief Secretary remains the foremost responsibility of the Auqaf Department.
He was speaking as the 814th annual Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA) continued at Data Darbar with deep reverence and devotion. Under his leadership, the spiritually uplifting Ghusl ceremony of the Hujra-e-Itikaf of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA) was performed with great sanctity, in which the sacred chamber was bathed with rose water, while thousands of devotees, Mashaykh, scholars, religious elders and pilgrims participated.
The central ceremony was attended by Director General Religious Affairs Shahid Hassan Kalyani and Director Administration Auqaf Muhammad Shakir Sandhu, while Khateeb Data Darbar Mufti Muhammad Ramzan Sialvi led special prayers for peace, stability and prosperity of the country.
Dr Ehsan Bhutta emphasised that the construction, development and extension of Data Darbar, along with the provision of modern world-class facilities to devotees, are top priorities of the Punjab Government. He said special arrangements have been made for security, cleanliness and uninterrupted langar distribution throughout the Urs and during ongoing development works.
Highlighting the legacy of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA), he said the revered saint left indelible marks on history through teachings of love, humanity and tolerance, illuminating the subcontinent with peace and spiritual light.
Later, Dr Bhutta chaired a detailed meeting with NESPAK officers at Hujveri Hall, Data Darbar, to review the pace, quality and progress of the historic Data Darbar extension project. The meeting — attended by DG Religious Affairs Shahid Hassan Kalyani, Director Administration Auqaf Muhammad Shakir Sandhu, Director Projects Auqaf Rafiq Noor Wattoo, Group Advisor Madina Foundation Muhammad Aslam Tareen, GM NESPAK Adil Nazir, Administrator Data Darbar Sheikh Jameel Ahmed, representatives of LDA and other departments — reviewed various aspects of the project and reaffirmed commitment to its timely and quality completion.
