Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman on Tuesday was briefed on Jamia Masjid Al-Sadiq, Bahawalpur Zoo and the remains of ancient civilization Ganveriwala in Cholistan by officers of relevant departments.
The briefing held at Governor House Lahore was attended by DG Walled City Kamran Lashari, Commissioner Bahawalpur Dr. Ehtisham Anwar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Jam Aftab, Secretary Tourism Asif Bilal Lodhi, Head of Archeology Islamia University Bahawalpur, Dr. Khalil Ahmed, Secretary Auqaf Tahir Raza Bukhari, DG Wildlife Mubeen Elhi, Secretary Forest, Mudassar Waheed Malik, Administrator Auqaf Bahawalpur Ghulam Abbas, Principal Secretary to Governor Nabeel Awan, and Special Secretary to Governor Umar Saeed.
It was decided on the occasion that the excavation work regarding the discovery of Ganveriwala archeology in Cholistan would be started in October. On this occasion, the Governor of Punjab said that the by discovering the ancient heritage and civilization buried in Cholistan more information can be found about the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. He expected that cities as big as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization can be discovered here. This will give Pakistan international recognition and also create opportunities for tourism.
Balighur Rehman said that developing links between universities and archeology departments will give students an opportunity to learn and research more about ancient civilizations. Governor Punjab added that the improvement of trust (waqf) properties including Jamia Masjid-ul-Sadiq and Bostan-Aziz should be well taken care of.
He instructed the concerned officers to increase the funding of Jamia Masjid Al-Sadiq and improve the maintenance of the mosque. Governor Punjab also gave instructions regarding the improvement and future plans of Masjid Bostan Aziz which was built by Hafeez ur Rehman and given in trust.
Regarding Bahawalpur Zoo, it was decided in the meeting that its old name Sherbagh would be restored. The Punjab Governor said that the zoo should be equipped with state of the art facilities, new animals should be brought here, and the old animals should be well taken care of. Governor Punjab further said that matters related to ticketing, parking, living conditions of animals inside cages should be improved.
Baligur Rehman said that where other model zoos are being built in Punjab, Bahawalpur Zoo would also been upgraded and improved. It was also decided in the meeting that the Lal Suhanra National Park Bahawalpur will also be improved. The improvement of Chowk Fawanra Janazah was also discussed.
