The shrine of Shah Noorani, in a remote valley in Khuzdar district near Lahoot Lamakan, is one of Balochistan's most visited Sufi shrines, drawing pilgrims year-round and, in far greater numbers, for its annual urs on the 10th of Ramadan. The route runs through the mountainous Lasbela and Dureji area on roads that are narrow and slow in places, and security checks are routine given the shrine's history and its location in Balochistan.
This guide covers the route, what to expect at the shrine, the urs gathering, facilities, and the security and safety picture as it stands.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | A mountain valley near Lahoot Lamakan, Khuzdar district, Balochistan |
| Route from Karachi | Via Hub, then into the Lasbela and Dureji hill roads |
| Annual urs | 10th of Ramadan, drawing very large crowds |
| Facilities | Basic; langar and camps appear during the urs, little outside it |
| Security | Checkposts and search points are routine on this route |
| Road | Narrow, winding mountain road for the final stretch |
Where Shah Noorani is and who it honours
The shrine holds the grave of Syed Bilawal Shah Noorani, a Sufi saint venerated across Balochistan and beyond, and it sits in a narrow valley in the hills of Khuzdar district, close to the cave complex known as Lahoot Lamakan. It is regarded as one of the most important shrines in the province, and visitors and pilgrims travel to it from across Pakistan throughout the year, not only during the urs.
The wider area, straddling Lasbela and Khuzdar districts, is remote and mountainous, and the shrine's isolation is part of what has made it both a place of pilgrimage and, historically, a target.
The route
Most visitors travel from Karachi, heading out on the N-25 through Hub and into Lasbela district before turning onto the hill roads that lead toward Dureji and the shrine. The final stretch is a narrow, winding mountain road through difficult terrain, considerably slower than the highway driving that precedes it, and not something to attempt for the first time after dark.
Security and vehicle checkposts are a normal part of this route, more so than on many other roads in the region, given the shrine's history and its location well into Balochistan. Carry your CNIC, expect delays at checkposts, particularly around the urs, and build extra time into your journey rather than assuming the mountain section will move at highway speed.
The annual urs
The urs, marking the saint's death anniversary, falls on the 10th of Ramadan each year and draws an enormous gathering, with figures reported in the hundreds of thousands in some years. Pilgrims arrive from across Pakistan, and some undertake a longer traditional pilgrimage route on foot from further afield, staying at a series of stops along the way before reaching the shrine.
During the urs, the area around the shrine fills with temporary camps, langar (free communal food) points and vendors, and the atmosphere is intense and crowded rather than a quiet visit. If you plan to attend the urs itself, expect long queues, dense crowds and heavier security than at other times of year, and factor that into how much time and patience the trip needs.
Facilities
Outside the urs, facilities at the shrine are basic: a place to pray and pay respects, and little else in the way of formal visitor infrastructure. During the urs, temporary langar and camp arrangements appear to feed and shelter the much larger number of pilgrims, but these are seasonal rather than year-round. Bring your own food, water and anything else you need for a day visit outside the urs period, since there is little to buy along the way once you leave the main highway.
Security checks and safety
Security at Shah Noorani, particularly during the urs, has included walk-through gates and a visible police and Levies presence around the shrine in recent years, a response to the shrine's history: in November 2016, a suicide bombing during the urs killed at least 52 people and injured more than 100, an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. That attack, along with the general security situation in Balochistan, is why checks along this route and around the shrine remain routine rather than exceptional.
Our guide to travelling safely in Balochistan covers the wider picture, including how to check conditions close to your travel date.
Who this trip suits
Shah Noorani suits pilgrims and visitors with a genuine reason to make the journey, who are prepared for a long, slow mountain drive, routine security checks, and, around the urs, very large crowds. It is not a casual sightseeing stop to add on to a beach day near Hub or Gadani, given the distance, the road and the security picture.
Anyone travelling for the urs specifically should go with people who know the route, keep a flexible schedule around checkposts and crowd delays, and check current conditions in the days beforehand rather than relying on an old plan.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Shah Noorani shrine?
In a remote valley near the Lahoot Lamakan cave complex in Khuzdar district, Balochistan, reached from Karachi via Hub and the Lasbela hill roads.
When is the Shah Noorani urs held?
On the 10th of Ramadan each year, marking the death anniversary of Syed Bilawal Shah Noorani. It draws very large crowds, reported in the hundreds of thousands in some years.
Is the road to Shah Noorani difficult?
Yes. The final stretch is a narrow, winding mountain road, considerably slower than the highway sections before it, and best not attempted for the first time after dark.
Has there been violence at the shrine?
Yes. In November 2016, a suicide bombing during the urs killed at least 52 people and injured more than 100. Security at and around the shrine has been tightened since.
Is it safe to visit Shah Noorani?
The UK government advises against all travel to the whole of Balochistan, which includes this route. Pakistani pilgrims travel here regularly, particularly for the urs, but everyone should check current local conditions before travelling, and foreign nationals should check their own government's advice and their insurance.
