DADU: President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, made a brief visit to Sehwan Sharif town on Sunday to pay his respects to great Sufi saint, Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

The President reached the town by helicopter and went directly to the saint’s shrine via bypass road. He laid a wreath on the saint’s grave and offered prayers. Afterwards, he went around the shrine and inspected ongoing construction work being done for pilgrims.

The high-profile visit led to heightened security measures in the town. Personnel of law enforcement agencies, including police and Rangers, were deployed around the town. Several roads were sealed off and business activities around the shrine and its vicinity were suspended for security concerns.

As part of security protocol, the shrine was temporarily closed to general public for over 10 hours, making many devotees disappointed as they were forced to wait outside the shrine.

Sehwan dusted off before Zardari visit

In anticipation of the President’s visit, the town’s administration carried out extensive cleanliness and beautification of main roads and streets in the town.

All key roads around the shrine, including Degree College Road and Jahaaz Chowk Road, were cleared of all encroachments and roadside vendors. Broken and potholed roads were repaired, flower pots were placed and plants were planted along the roads to make the town look good. The sidewalks and road markings also received fresh coats of paint.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, PPP MNA Malik Asad Sikandar, former MNA Sardar Sikandar Ali Rahpoto and other prominent leaders accompanied the President during the visit.

Mr Zardari had arrived in Nawabshah on Saturday and went back to his native city after visiting Sehwan. Later, he left for Karachi from Nawabshah airport.

President has signed Madressah Act, says CM

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that President Asif Ali Zardari has put his signature on the Madressah Act and it will be officially gazette.

The chief minister told media persons in Sehwan before the arrival of President Zardari that discussions would be held with all stakeholders on the matter. Any progress made so far on the Madrasah Act had been achieved with consensus and mutual agreement, he said.

Asked about possible release of Imran Khan in the wake of recent statements of US President-elect’s nominee, he responded: “If the US wants to help Imran, it should approach courts to secure his freedom. Only courts can free Imran Khan. If he hasn’t done anything wrong, he should talk to his lawyers instead of relying on external assistance.”

He added: “If there’s no case against him, why is he so worried? He should communicate with his legal team and seek proper legal advice.”

The chief minister was accompanied by provincial ministers Ijaz Shah Shirazi and Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, MNA Malik Asad Sikandar, MPAs Dr Sikandar Ali Shoro and Malik Sikandar Khan and Mohammad Saleem Bajari, among others.

After the media briefing, the CM left for Karachi by a helicopter.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2024