Waris Shah Heritage Gallery opens in Jandiala Sher Khan

LAHORE – Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab Dr. Ehsan Bhutta has said that the great Sufi poet, scholar, thinker and luminous icon of Punjabi language and literature, Hazrat Syed Waris Shah (RA), through his timeless masterpiece Heer Waris Shah, gifted Punjabi literature not merely with an immortal work of art but with a universal message of love, humanity, tolerance, morality, spirituality, peace, compassion and the highest human values—a message that continues to resonate with extraordinary relevance and power even today.

He expressed these views while inaugurating the newly established Waris Shah Heritage and Cultural Gallery at historic Jandiala Sher Khan, describing it as a landmark initiative to preserve, celebrate and transmit the magnificent literary, cultural and intellectual legacy of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) to future generations.

Deputy Commissioner Rana Adil Tasawwur, Director Projects Rafiq Noor Wattoo, Zonal Administrator Rana Ehsan and other officers of the Auqaf Department were also present on the occasion. Dr. Bhutta said that the establishment of the gallery has given the sacred place associated with Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and Jandiala Sher Khan a distinctive new literary and cultural identity, while creating an important platform for showcasing the rich history, culture and heritage of Sheikhupura to visitors from Pakistan and abroad.

He said the gallery presents, in a modern and engaging manner, the life, personality, intellectual vision, literary contributions and enduring masterpiece Heer of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA), while important characters from Heer Waris Shah, historical and cultural scenes, rare artefacts and traditional objects have also been thoughtfully incorporated to bring the era and social fabric of Punjab vividly to life.

Special documentaries on Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and the history and culture of Sheikhupura will be screened through LCD displays, while traditional objects including the tawa, ghara, weighing scale, bow and other artefacts offer visitors an authentic glimpse into Punjab’s centuries-old social life, traditions and cultural heritage.

He added that two specially produced documentaries are part of the gallery experience: the first explores the history, culture and historic heritage of Sheikhupura, while the second focuses on the life, personality, intellectual and literary services of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and the diverse dimensions of his masterpiece Heer.

Dr. Bhutta said concerted efforts would be made to carry the thought, poetry and message of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) to younger generations through research, education, literary activities, cultural programmes, documentaries, heritage galleries and modern communication platforms, stressing that preserving history, keeping culture alive and highlighting the legacy of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) is, in essence, a powerful means of reconnecting young people with their language, literature, history and civilisational identity.

He further said that the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) would bring 50 tourists from Qaddafi Stadium Lahore to Jandiala Sher Khan through its recreational bus service, particularly enabling young people to develop a deeper connection with their great Sufi poet, Punjabi language, history and cultural identity.

The Waris Shah Heritage and Cultural Gallery, he added, would emerge as a distinctive intellectual, literary and tourism destination for tourists, students, researchers and all those with an interest in literature and culture.

Dr. Bhutta said highlighting historic Jandiala Sher Khan and its associated heritage as a centre of Hazrat Waris Shah’s literary and cultural legacy remains among the priorities of the Auqaf Department, and the establishment of the gallery represents a practical expression of this vision.

He said Hazrat Waris Shah (RA), who was associated with Jandiala Sher Khan, District Sheikhupura, devoted his life to knowledge, literature, spiritual thought and the promotion of human values; born in 1722 and passing away in 1798, he portrayed Punjab’s civilisation, culture, rural society, human emotions, social attitudes and spiritual consciousness with such depth and comprehensiveness that Heer Waris Shah transcended the boundaries of a romantic narrative and became an invaluable literary, social, cultural and intellectual document of Punjab.

Through the profound symbolism of human love leading towards divine love, and through his penetrating observations on human weaknesses, social inequalities, moral values, peace, tolerance and the significance of human relationships, Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) occupies an unparalleled position among the great classical poets of Punjabi literature, while Heer also powerfully reflects themes of respect for women, human dignity and social justice.

The Secretary Auqaf said that the poetry of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) presents love as a fundamental force of human existence and humanity as the foundation of social relationships, making his message of peace, affection, tolerance, pluralism, brotherhood and respect for human dignity exceptionally relevant in the contemporary world. He said Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) stands among the great custodians of Punjab’s Sufi, literary and intellectual tradition who used the power of thought and art to promote love, peace, tolerance, fraternity and the sanctity of human relationships, adding that preserving his historic and literary legacy is not merely a religious obligation but also a profound literary, historical, cultural and national responsibility.

Dr. Bhutta said the shrine of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) and its associated historic heritage constitute a precious part of Punjab’s identity; therefore, the Auqaf Department is paying special attention to the preservation of its sanctity, historic character and spiritual ambience, alongside improvements in beautification, repair, cleanliness, illumination, security and basic facilities for visitors. During his recent visit to the shrine, he also offered Fateha and prayers and reviewed the ongoing development and improvement works. He said historic manuscripts, records, artefacts and other cultural material associated with Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) represent priceless national, historical and literary assets, making initiatives such as heritage galleries and libraries vital for their preservation, documentation and transmission to future generations.

The Government of Punjab and the Auqaf Department, he added, are taking effective measures to preserve and develop the shrines of the province’s Sufi saints and spiritual luminaries not only as places of religious devotion but also as significant centres of Punjab’s history, literature and cultural heritage. Dr. Ehsan Bhutta concluded that the timeless message of Hazrat Waris Shah (RA) continues to remind humanity that love, compassion, tolerance, harmony, peace and respect for human dignity are the true foundations of a strong, cohesive and peaceful society, and preserving his magnificent intellectual and literary legacy and passing it on to generations yet to come is a shared responsibility of us all.