December 27, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 05, 1427

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VEHARI, Dec 26: A historic well that attracts a number of devotees for its reported mystic blessings, is in a bad shape, allegedly because of negligence of the Auqaf Department, Dawn has learnt.

The well is half kilometre of Haji Sher Chawli Mashaekh shrine in Chak 317-EB in Burewala, Vehari district. The beautiful shrine of Sat Gur Nanak Dev Ji is also located outside the boundary wall of the well.

The well is called ‘Khoi Baba Farid or well of Baba Farid and people say that Baba Farid Gunj Shakar, a famous saint, meditated here for 12 years by hanging with a kacchi tand or raw yarn.

Devotees from surrounding area throng the well to drink its water believing it will heal their physical and spiritual diseases. The well is out of order and the Auqaf Department has befooled the devotees by pouring water into it through turbines.

The department failed to repair the well despite collecting millions from devotees. In 1997, a mud-boundary wall and a veranda was built for devotees.

A resident of the village said the veranda became the hub of drug pushers and other criminals at night but the authorities did not take any action against them despite repeated complaints by the people.

People demanded senior officials look into the matters and provide funds to maintain the original shape of the well.

Haji Manzoor Ahmed, district in charge of the Auqaf, said that no funds were allocated for the well, however work to preserve the well would be done with the help of devotees.