Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah honored the enduring legacy of the Bhutto family and reaffirmed the Sindh government’s dedication to promoting Sufi values during the Latif Award Ceremony at Bhit Shah. The event, held as part of the annual Urs celebrations for revered Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, was attended by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, highlighting the family’s long-standing ties to the region.
In his address, Murad Ali Shah thanked Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his presence and reflected on the Bhutto family’s deep connection with Bhit Shah. He recalled that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto established the Cultural Center at Bhit Shah over six decades ago and that Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, had delivered a memorable address at the 250th Urs, speaking predominantly in Sindhi. Shah revisited parts of Benazir Bhutto’s speech, emphasizing her belief that understanding Sindh and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai are fundamentally intertwined. He noted her efforts to educate Sindh’s youth, including her initiative to publish and distribute ‘Ganj Sharif,’ a collection of Bhittai’s poetry, to universities throughout the region.
Drawing parallels between past and present, Shah highlighted that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s visit comes more than 30 years after his mother’s appearance at the shrine, evoking powerful memories. He quoted Benazir Bhutto’s historic message of resilience and peace: if confronted with violence, the people would stand firm, but if engaged with the language of Shah Latif, they would respond with unity and understanding. Shah issued a warning to those who might resort to violence, assuring a strong response from the government and people.
The Chief Minister also focused on the establishment of Sufi University, an institution envisioned by President Asif Ali Zardari to realize Benazir Bhutto’s dream of a center dedicated to Sufi scholarship and values. Shah pledged that the Sindh government would continue advancing this vision under Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s leadership, ensuring ongoing promotion of the teachings and principles of Sindh’s Sufi saints.
Concluding his remarks, Murad Ali Shah highlighted the added meaning of this year’s Urs celebrations, as they coincided with Pakistan’s Independence Day. He spoke of the nation’s unity and the significance of ‘Marka-e-Haq’—the “Battle of Truth”—in commemorating past achievements, especially Pakistan’s resilience and triumph through unity. The Chief Minister remarked that this spirit had infused new patriotic energy into the Urs, linking the Sufi tradition of Shah Latif with the country’s broader national pride.
