Governor for protection of Auqaf property

KARACHI: Governor Sindh, Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan, has called for protection of Aquaf property in the province.

Presiding over a meeting at the Governor House here, the Governor directed that the encroached land of Auqaf be also vacated from the encroachers.

A statement on Saturday said that at the meeting matters pertaining to mosques and "dargahs" being run under the Provincial Auqaf Department, were discussed in detail.

It said that the Governor emphasised that system of "nazrana" be made transparent and the amount thus received should primarily be utilized for the maintenance, repair and renovation of "dargahs" and extending facilities to "zaireen" as well as for the welfare of "mustahqeen".

He pointed out that President Asif Ali Zardari has issued special directives for improving conditions of "dargahs".

The Governor directed to speed up the work at the dargahs of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Shahbaz Qalandar and Sakhi Abdul Wahab.

He also instructed that best possible material should be utilized in accordance with Islamic architecture and also reflecting the culture of the province.

Dr. Ishrat said that cooperation of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) be also sought in this regard.

He stated that mosques shut in the province due to various disputes, be reopened for prayers.

The Governor said that the work on the dome and interior decoration of the mazar of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar would be completed by June this year. Cameras have been installed for monitoring the construction work.

He stated that with the cooperation of the federal and provincial government, development work of Rs.315 million is being carried out at the mazar of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012