HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that the performance of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) in the recently held local government elections has silenced its critics, who were talking of eliminating it in the province. He predicted a similar victory in the third and last phase of the LG polls in Karachi and also expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in Badin district as well where elections in four union councils were yet to be held.

Mr Shah was speaking to journalists after laying wreaths and chador on the grave of great Sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai at Bhitshah on Sunday marking the end of the three-day 272nd Urs celebrations.

His advisers on Auqaf and culture, Dr Abdul Qayyum Soomro and Sharmila Faruqi, respectively, and other government functionaries and party activists were also present.

Three-day Bhitai Urs draws to an end

The chief minister described Shah Latif Bhitai as ‘universal poet’ who preached love, brotherhood and harmony and preserved Sindh’s culture in his poetry. He said the Sindh government was committed to disseminate his message as far as possible to eliminate hatred among different segments of society. Mr Shah said that the Sufi University had already been established in Bhitshah and more land for its expansion would be allotted soon. He also promised an early solution to the clean drinking water issue in Bhitshah.

Latif Awards

Latif Awards were presented by CM’s Adviser Sharmila Faruqi to best performers in different categories at the concluding ceremony at the Shah Latif Auditorium in Bhitshah.

Syed Gadda Hussain (Shah’s raagi) Taj Mastani (artist), Haji Ali Nawaz (sughar) and Nawaz Mohamamd Achar (musician) were given the best performer awards. Sadiq Faqir was given the lifetime achievement award which was received by his sons Nazakat and Rahat.

For the first time, Rs50,000 cash reward was offered by the culture department to each winner of the Latif Awards. Laptops and commendation certificates were also distributed to authors of best papers in English, Urdu and Sindhi. Saqlain Masood Sahto, Samira Haq Jalbani and Fareeah Gabol won the first, second and third prizes, respectively, on their papers in Sindhi; Javaria Asad, Falak Naz and Mohsin Ali clinched the first, second and third prizes, respectively, on their papers in Urdu; and Sara Illahi, Saman Lohano and Fatima Wajid received the first, second and third prizes on their papers in English. All the winners were also given certificates and laptops.

Majid Bhurgari was rewarded for developing a Sindhi software and publishing Shah Jo Risalo on the internet. It was received by Amar Fayyaz Buriro.

Imtiaz Mir got the best anchor award, introduced this year, for promoting Shah’s message.

Others who got awards included livestock director general Dr Ali Akbar Soomro, Hyderabad Commissioner Asif Hyder Shah, DIG Khadim Rind and Riaz Ahmed Memon.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2015