Repairing of Badshahi mosque: no fund released to Punjab DGA for last three years

Auqaf Department has not transferred any funds for the last three years to Punjab Directorate General of Archaeology (DGA) for the maintenance and repair of Badshahi mosque. This was revealed in a meeting held with Commissioner Lahore in response to a suo motu notice taken by Chief Justice Lahore High Court during his visit to Badshahi mosque on its miserable condition.
The meeting also constituted a committee headed by director general religious affairs auqaf Chaudhry Iqbal Ahmad for cleaning holy relics being placed in Badshahi masjid for exhibition in showcases. The committee has been constituted only to take extra security measures keeping in view the high sanctity with these "Tabarrukats."
The meeting forwarded the names of the members to secretary Auqaf for notification. The committee also desire to convene the meeting of the committee of "Non-Officials Visitors" to discuss the security arrangements in detail. The meeting was also informed that repairs and painting of stairs leading to holy relics gallery and stairways has been completed.
The algae in the water tank in the middle of courtyard of Badshahi mosque has been removed and necessary work for the making fountain tank operational and replacement of chocked and rusted pipe-lines has been started. The meeting also decided to fix a notice board mentioning that Moti mosque is opened for prayers. As there are no visitors at the time of Fajar and Esha prayers therefore, no prayer is held during these times.
The meeting however, took decision to get examine the deposit of algae on the main entrance gate of the mosque to decide is there any need for cleaning of algae from old red sandstone considering the old historical monument and if cleaning is required then what should be the procedure for the purpose. The meeting was informed that blackish colour of the stone was for many reasons, algae is one of those. Other reason for blackish surface of red sandstone is because of the smoke emitted by the traffic passing from the road on the north side of the mosque polluting the atmosphere and also the pigeon dropping.
Chief Justice Lahore High Court while expressing dissatisfaction over the cleanliness and maintenance work of Badshahi mosque during his visit had desired constitution of a committee. Chief Justice (CJ) had observed that front elevation walls of the mosque and central pond were covered with dense layers of black algae, depicting an ugly picture. Likewise, distemper on the side walls of the stairs leading to the venue where "Tabbarakat" have been exhibited is in dilapidated condition.
The CJ was also surprise to know that the Moti-Masjid inside the Lahore Fort stands closed for a considerable time period for some unknown reason. CJ therefore, desired to open the said mosque immediately and make it functional by doing necessary maintenance. CJ was on his visit to the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal to pay homage to the great national poet. Beside this he had also paid visit to the Badshahi mosque.