KASUR, Aug 26: The town wore a festive look on Thursday when the annual Urs of Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah was inaugurated by Punjab Auqaf Minister Sahibzada Syed Saeedul Hassan.

At the ceremony, the minister said the basic theme of teachings of Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah was to maintain the honour and sanctity of humanity, which resulted into the end of sectarianism from society.

The minister was accompanied by District Nazim Rana Imtiaz Ahmad Khan, DCO Mohammad Hashim Tareen, tehsil Nazim Malik Rashid Khan, Majlis-e-Bulleh Shah president Khadim Ali Khokhar and others.

Briefing the minister on the Rs45 million Bulleh Shah project, the district Nazim said the mosque of the shrine had been completed. Mr Hassan inspected security arrangements at the shrine.

The three-day Urs is being celebrated here with great devotion and reverence. More than 200 representatives and scholars from Asian countries will attend a seminar to be held under the auspices of International Bulleh Shah Forum on Aug 27.

Another seminar will be held by the Majlis-e-Bulleh Shah which will be participated by the Indian delegation. A poetry competition will also be held for paying homage to the saint-poet. The district coordination officer has notified a local holiday on Aug 28 (Saturday) in connection with the Urs.