By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab Dr. Ehsan Bhutta stated that the Punjab Auqaf Department will continue to work in close coordination with Ahl-e-Sunnat scholars in all religious and administrative matters, including the Data Darbar expansion project, with all decisions taken through mutual consultation.
He expressed these views while addressing a delegation led by Member Islamic Ideological Council and President Ulema-Mashaikh Wing PML-N Mufti Intekhab Ahmad Noori, comprising Maulana Muhammad Ali Naqshbandi, Syed Tanveer Shah, Mufti Muhammad Haseeb Qadri, Mufti Muhammad Kareem Khan, Pir Muaz-ul-Mustafa Qadri, Sardar Muhammad Tahir Dogar, Maulana Pir Muhammad Hafeez Azhar, Maulana Imran-ul-Hassan Farooqi, Maulana Zulfiqar Mustafa Hashmi, Maulana Mumtaz Rabbani, Pir Bashir Ahmad Yousufi, Maulana Ehsan-ul-Haq Siddiqui, Maulana Rauf Attari and other scholars; Director General Religious Affairs Punjab Shahid Hassan Kalyani was also present.
The delegation appreciated the department’s recent measures to safeguard cash at shrine donation boxes (gallas) and urged continuation of strict action against theft and irregularities, while presenting eight demands including inclusion of scholars in the Data Darbar construction committee, consultation on calligraphy and inscriptions, representation in the Religious Affairs Committee, construction of alternative mosques for affected sites, installation of shrine etiquette guidelines, improved arrangements for Urs events, and construction of underpasses near Ghamay Shah and Urdu Bazaar to facilitate pilgrims during Urs and Chehlum. Dr. Bhutta assured that all feasible proposals would be reviewed and implemented in accordance with policy through continued stakeholder consultation.
