BAHAWALPUR: Expressing concern over unsatisfactory security measures at 16 shrines by the Auqaf Department, the district administration has banned festivities at the Channan Pir mela.

Assistant Commissioner Sheikh Muhammad Tahir told Dawn that in view of the prevailing circumstances, there would be no shops and recreational and musical events at the Channan Pir site this time.

However, District Auqaf Administrator Malik Farid Awan said the Urs rituals such as laying of a sheet or chaddar poshi at the shrine and recitation of Fateh would be allowed at the shrine in the desert of Channan Pir.

He said the devotees would not be allowed overnight stay at the shrine.

The fair attracts recreation-hungry devotees, mostly women, every year and for that Auqaf allows a contractor to set up shops and recreational units at the site.

Festivities at Channan Pir mela banned

Malik Awan said the department would now return the contract amount of over Rs6.1 million of the Channan Pir mela to the contractor.

The mela is a century-old festival is held annually for seven Thursdays from February to April, During the previous years, the fifth Thursday would be declared a local holiday in the district.

A meeting of the district administration recently reviewed the situation and decided to increase the security of shrines, which would be the duty of the Auqaf Department. These security measures for the shrines to be ensured included the installation of walk through gates and CCTV cameras. The Auqaf Department is reluctant to follow the orders due to the shortage of funds.

Deputy Commissioner Rana Saleem Afzal formed a security audit committee for the auqaf department. The committee would comprise the manager district auqaf, and representatives of special branch, the district police officer and the DC.

ARMS: Baghdadul Jadid police unearthed a cache of arms from a house in Khurshid Town and arrested two anti-social elements on Tuesday, according to the DPO public relation officer. More details were not shared.

ABSENTEES: Several officials and officers from the offices of sub-registrar, tehsildar and naib tehsildar of Bahawalpur Sadar tehsil were found absent from duty on Tuesday when DC Saleem Afzal paid a surprise visit to them.

According to a handout, the DC ordered action against them. He ordered the absentee internees from the office of the sub-registrar to report to the DC office.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2017