Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique, Bilal Yasin and Chaudhry Shafay Hussain and others take part in the ceremony
LAHORE: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-June 25th, 2026) The 983rd annual Ghusl-e-Mazar (ceremonial washing of the shrine) of the revered Sufi saint Ali Hujwiri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA), was held at Data Darbar in Lahore on Thursday amid elaborate security and welfare arrangements.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique, Bilal Yasin and Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, as well as Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister Ali Dar.
Senior government officials also participated in the ceremony, including Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi, Secretary Auqaf Dr Ehsan Bhutta, Secretary Excise Masood Mukhtar and Senior Member board of Revenue Nabeel Javed.
A large number of devotees and visitors attended the annual event, which is considered one of the most significant religious gatherings in the province. Special arrangements were made to facilitate worshippers and ensure their safety throughout the ceremony.
Authorities implemented comprehensive security measures at the shrine. Walk-through gates were installed at all entry points, while surveillance of the premises was carried out through a network of CCTV cameras operating around the clock. Security personnel remained deployed at key locations inside and outside the shrine complex.
Female police officers were assigned to assist and provide security to women visitors. Parking facilities were established at designated locations away from the shrine to ensure smooth traffic management and crowd control.
Security monitoring was also enhanced at entry and exit points across Lahore. Emergency services, including Rescue 1122 teams, ambulances, medical staff, fire brigade units and bomb disposal squads, remained on standby during the event.
Meanwhile, teams of the Punjab Food Authority were deployed at locations distributing langar and drinking water to ensure food quality and hygiene standards for devotees attending the ceremony.
