sufism is a vast term and many sufi orders exist within pakistan where the philosophy has a strong tradition. historically, the sufi missionaries had played a pivotal role in converting the native peoples of punjab and sindh to islam. the most notable muslim sufi orders in pakistan are the qadiriyya, naqshbandiya, chishtiya and suhrawardiyya silsas (muslim orders) and they have a large amount of devotees in pakistan. the tradition of visiting dargahs is still practiced today. sufis whose shrines receive much national attention are data ganj baksh (ali hajweri) in lahore (ca. 11th century), sultan bahoo in shorkot jhang, baha-ud-din zakariya in multan and shahbaz qalander in sehwan (ca. 12th century) and shah abdul latif bhitai in bhit, sindh and rehman baba in khyber pakhtunkhwa province. the urs (death anniversary) of sufi saints accounts for the largest gathering upon their shrines held annually by the devotees.