Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasized that Sindh is a land of Sufis and saints, drawing inspiration from Shah Latif’s teachings. “Just as Shah Latif prayed, we have also prayed today for the prosperity and happiness of Sindh, our country, and the entire world,” he said. He made these remarks while speaking to the media after attending the concluding ceremonies of the 281st annual Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai at his shrine. He noted that Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s message transcends boundaries and promotes unity.
When asked about Bilawal Bhutto’s invitation from the federal government and the prime minister, Shah said, “I am not attending, but Chairman Bilawal Bhutto is. He leads a party that represents all four provinces. As the party leader, he will discuss national issues with the prime minister and raise our concerns. He will address problems that the entire country faces, not just Sindh.” Addressing the state of law and order in Sindh, the Chief Minister pointed out that since the provincial government resumed in February 2023, there has been a notable improvement.
He urged people to compare the situation from the previous year, 2023, to the present, stating that conditions are much better now. “Other provinces are facing challenges too, but in Karachi, street crime rates have dropped significantly. Incidents of kidnapping have also decreased, with many criminals either arrested or eliminated,” he added. Shah highlighted that while criminals have become desperate, attacking police posts and making attempts to disrupt peace, his government, with the help of the police, Rangers, and the army, is committed to eradicating this menace.
He affirmed that with the prayers of Shah Bhittai and Lal ShahbazQalandar, Sindh remains safe. Regarding electricity issues, he mentioned that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto is in discussions with the prime minister. “We are all working together for the betterment of Pakistan and its people,” he said. Responding to a question about motorways, Shah clarified that they are federally managed. He emphasized that the stretch of the motorway from Multan to Sukkur spans about 150 kilometers within Sindh, but there are still gaps, such as the Hyderabad-Sukkur and Sukkur-Karachi motorways, which remain incomplete. “I have raised this issue not only with the current prime minister but also with his predecessor,” he said.
He also shared that visiting journalist from Punjab had praised Sindh’s roads, noting that no other provincial government had developed roads as well as Sindh. Shah urged the federal government to expedite work on the Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway and improve the Karachi-Hyderabad route. Earlier, Chief Minister Shah visited the shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, offering a chadar and prayers. He listened to Shah’s poetry, distributed clothes among the needy, and left his remarks in the guestbook. Provincial Minister for Culture, Syed Zulfiqar Shah, accompanied him. Later, the Chief Minister attended the Latif Award ceremony, where he presented awards to distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields. In a brief speech, he expressed his pride in being part of Shah Latif’s Urs celebrations and stressed the importance of spreading Shah Saeen’s philosophy worldwide.
He pointed out that Shah Latif’s poetry emphasizes love in its three verses and prayed for the well-being of the world, not just his land. Referring to global issues, he called upon the United Nations to heed Sindh’s message of peace, especially in light of the ongoing atrocities in Palestine and Kashmir. The Chief Minister awarded various individuals for their exceptional performances, including Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah Latifi as the best singer, Gul Hassan Gul for his storytelling, Dr. Nawaz Ali Shauq for research, Je Ram Jogi for his musical prowess, Mohammad Ramzan as the best drummer, and Sufi FaqirManjhi as the top performer of the Urs. Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner of Matiari, Mohammad Yousuf Shaikh, and SSP Matiari, Syed Asghar Shah, were recognized for their exemplary management of the event.
