The 282nd Urs of the revered Sufi saint and poet Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai (RA) began on Saturday morning in Bhit Shah, Matiari district, as tens of thousands of devotees flocked to the town to mark the occasion.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi and Sindh Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah officially inaugurated the three-day Urs by laying a chadar at Bhitai’s shrine.
Kundi said his philosophy of love, peace, and coexistence continues to guide humanity.
Minister Shah paid tribute to Bhitai’s progressive vision, noting his advocacy for women’s rights and his timeless message of brotherhood. Shah highlighted ajrak as a symbol of Sindh’s cultural identity, traditionally presented to guests as a mark of honour. Both the governor and the minister listened to renditions of Bhitai’s devotional poetry at the shrine.
Later, they inaugurated the cultural village at Shah Jo Bagh, visiting handicraft stalls and attending a folk music session. An event titled ‘Sughrahn ji Kachehri’ was also held at HT Surli Hall, where prominent folk artists performed Bhitai’s verses in deeply expressive styles.
Meanwhile, scholars and intellectuals offered insightful analyses of the saint’s poetry, reaffirming Bhitai’s profound legacy in Sindhi culture and spiritual thought.
