The Lahore High Court (LHC) validated the decision made by the Punjab government under which the Behishti Darwaza at the shrine of Hazrat Baba Farid Shakar Ganj (RA) in Pakpattan would be opened for two days this year, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

Justice Jawad Hassan passed this judgment on petitions which sought opening the door for five days in connection with the Urs. The court was moved the shrine’s custodian – Dewan Hamid – and other petitioners.

They were of the view that the provincial government through a notification had announced that there would be no Urs of Hazrat Baba Farid Shakar Ganj (RA) in the current year.

According to the petitioners, this move should be declared illegal and unconstitutional besides stopping the government from interfering in the matter.

Their main arguments in favour of allowing the annual Urs were that the government had lifted lockdown in the first week of August and opened commercial activities. Meanwhile, other religious gatherings were also being held across the country since August 5, they added.

But the Punjab government banned the Urs in Pakpattan and decided not to open the Behishti Darwaza for five days.

Moreover, the Auqaf Department has allowed organising the Urs of Bulleh Shah (RA) in Kasur, which shows that the move concerning the Pakpattan shrine is discriminatory.

In this connection, police are harassing the locals and seeking affidavits from them with a guarantee that they would not provide space or premises for holding the Urs.

However, the government counsel said the door would remain open for two days. It could not be opened for everyone in the given scenario, he argued and asked the court to reject the petitions.