The three-day celebrations of 967th annual urs of Hazrat Ali Bin Usman Hajveri popularly known as Data Gunj Bakhsh has been started with traditional zeal at his shrine here on Sunday.

Chairman Religious Affairs Committee of the darbar Senator Ishaq Dar along with Punjab Minister for Religious Affairs and Auqaf Haji Ehsanuddin Qureshi and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah inaugurated the Urs celebrations while laying chadar on the shrine of the great Sufi saint.

They offered Fateha and special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country.

Meanwhile, the Auqaf department has made adequate arrangements to facilitate the devotees.The police department have also made tight security arrangements to provide security to the pilgrims coming across the country, official sources said.

For security purpose, 80 cameras have been installed in and around the shrine to monitor the situation.Some 300 policemen have also been deployed to maintain law and order situation while nine walk through gates and metal detectors have been provided to the security staff.

As many as 65 security guard of the Auqaf department and 102 of private agency have also been deputed.

The camp offices of different departments including WAPDA, WASA , Civil Defence and civil administration have been set up to facilitate the devotees.

The Auqaf department has allocated Rs 4.5 million for various arrangements of Urs celebrations.