PAKPATTAN – At least 89 pilgrims were injured in a stampede during the annual Urs celebrations of Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj Shakar, officials and rescue sources said on Monday.

The incident occurred during the night between Sunday and Monday when a sudden surge in crowd movement at the shrine led to panic and a stampede among visitors attending the religious gathering in Pakpattan.

Rescue officials said emergency teams quickly reached the site and provided first aid to 64 injured people on the spot, while 25 others were shifted to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Injuries were reported among men, women, and young pilgrims who had arrived from different parts of the country.

Crowd control measures tightened

Local authorities said the situation was brought under control shortly after the incident and security and crowd management arrangements at the shrine were further strengthened.

Officials confirmed that no fatalities were reported. However, they added that a large number of devotees had gathered at the shrine, which contributed to overcrowding during the Urs ceremonies.

The annual Urs of Baba Farid attracts thousands of pilgrims from across Pakistan, with authorities typically deploying special arrangements to manage large gatherings.

Following the incident, district administration and rescue agencies reviewed the situation and began considering additional safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

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