Unlike the past, the incumbent Punjab government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is bent upon paying special attention to matters related to Auqaf and religious affairs. The government aims to provide improved standard of religious services and facilities at mosques, shrines and peaceful environment for devotees. Moreover, the government has also focused on religious harmony and promotion of unity amongst various sects of Islam.
It is heartening to see that the government has allocated Rs.58.89 million for seven ongoing schemes and Rs.249.189 million for 15 new schemes in the budget 2019-20. Furthermore, the government has proposed execution of 18 schemes of the Auqaf Department for restoration of monuments and facilities there besides construction of nine Quran Mehal (Quran Palaces) at divisional level in Punjab to protect Shaheed Quranic papers. Besides, protection, conservation and sustainable use of Auqaf property i.e. mosques and shrines is also up on the agenda of the government.
In addition, the government plans to employ the use of technology for geo-mapping Auqaf property and automated collection of donations at shrines. In order to facilitate the foreigners and tourists, the government is also setting up help counter at the Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore which will provide information of all shrines and holy places of the province. In order to facilitate the general public, help desks have been established in Badshahi Mosque and Data Darbar. All this sheds light on the fact that the government is serious in her efforts not only to repair and reconstruct shrines and mosques but also to facilitate pilgrims and devotees through provision of basic services and development of new facilities along with promotion of religious harmony.
DANIA ALI
Lahore
