The 982nd annual urs celebrations of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajweri commenced in Lahore on Wednesday, drawing a large number of devotees from across the country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, accompanied by Minister for Communications Aleem Khan and Punjab Minister for Food, Housing and Urban Development Bilal Yasin, inaugurated the three-day festivities with the traditional “chadar poshi” and prayers for the security and prosperity of Pakistan.

He also opened the traditional milk “sabeel”, which saw heavy crowds of visitors.

The shrine and surrounding areas were filled with devotional activities, including “dhamaal” to the beat of drums, floral offerings, and religious rituals.

Stringent security measures were in place to ensure the safety of the devotees.

Speaking to the media, Dar said Pakistan was on the path to progress and would emerge as a fortress of Islam on the world map.

The urs celebrations will continue until Friday, which has been declared a local holiday for the occasion.