Srinagar, Aug 14: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has extended greetings to people on the Urs of Hazrat Sultan Ali Aali Balkhi (RA), beginning August 15 at Pakherpora.

Rather said the 20-day Urs is expected to draw a large number of devotees, with major gatherings scheduled on August 25 (Poshak Bandi) and August 27 (Shab Khawani).
He directed the district administration and concerned departments to ensure comprehensive arrangements for drinking water, power supply, healthcare, sanitation, transport, traffic management, parking, cleanliness and street lighting.
The Speaker called for adequate medical teams, medicines, ambulances and first-aid facilities, particularly during peak gatherings, along with effective emergency response mechanisms.
He also stressed smooth traffic and passenger movement, directing authorities to ensure adequate transport connectivity between Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Budgam, Chadoora, Srinagar and Pakherpora, including return services for devotees.
Rather directed authorities to intensify cleanliness drives, ensure proper waste disposal and maintain sanitation around the shrine, approach roads, parking areas and other high-footfall locations.
He further sought uninterrupted availability of essential commodities, including rice, flour, sugar, cooking gas and kerosene, besides an additional ration quota for local consumers. Market checking was also ordered to prevent hoarding, profiteering, black-marketing and overcharging.
Calling for close coordination among all departments, Rather urged authorities to keep contingency arrangements ready before the major gatherings.
He appealed to devotees to maintain peace, cleanliness and discipline and cooperate with the administration and volunteers, expressing hope that the Urs would strengthen communal harmony, brotherhood and spiritual devotion.