The 774th annual Urs celebrations of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar commenced in the shrine city of Sehwan on Saturday, drawing thousands of devotees from across the country who thronged the revered Sufi shrine to pay homage.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori is scheduled to formally inaugurate the three-day festivities.
The opening day features the traditional inaugural dhamal, followed by Sugharan Ji Kachehri, a folk wisdom gathering. A literary conference will be held on the second day, while the concluding day will include a musical evening, malakhro (traditional Sindhi wrestling) competitions and the distribution of Shahbaz Awards.
Officials said comprehensive arrangements had been finalised to facilitate several hundred thousand devotees expected to participate in rituals, programmes and the iconic dhamal.
The city has taken on a festive appearance, with roads and streets leading to the shrine adorned with colourful flags and buntings, while the shrine and surrounding areas have been illuminated. Numerous stalls selling sweets, toys, ajraks, bangles and food items have been set up, along with amusement activities such as slides and a circus to entertain children.
Strict security measures have also been put in place. Authorities said more than 5,000 police personnel and 300 Rangers have been deployed to ensure the peaceful conduct of the event. Over 150 CCTV cameras have been installed inside the shrine and more than 250 outside, while a central control room has been established to monitor the situation.
