ISLAMABAD  The devotees of Bari Imam have urged the government to revive the annual Urs of the 16th Century saint, usually observed in May. Since 2009, the annual event could not take place owing to law and order situation, though the devotees have been stressing the authorities concerned to allow holding of the event. “We have moved applications to all the authorities concerned, including the city administration of Islamabad but the demand is yet to be addressed,” Syed Saadat Hussain, a caretaker of the Bari Imam shrine, told APP.

He said even in November last year, the Interior Minister had announced that the Urs would be held this year that was welcomed by the devotees. “However, formal announcement of any schedule has not yet been made though the Urs is due next month,” Shah said. He said Senate Chairman Nayyer Hussain Bukhari has also been requested to help revive the annual event.
The annual Urs has beocme a security risk since 2005 when a suicide bomber hit the shrine, killing dozens of devotees who gathered there to attend the annual congregation. An Interior Ministry spokesman confirmed the assurance of the minister; however he was not sure whether the Urs would take place this year.
Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi, known as Bari Imam, was born in 1617 AD in Choli Karsal village of Chakwal District, died in 1705 AD and buried at Nurpur Shahan, Islamabad.