The Auqaf department Punjab is planning to impose a ban on the distribution of food (Langer and Niaz) at the main shrines in the Punjab, Auqaf Minister Sahabzada Saeedul Hassan Shah told here on Friday.
He said that the ban was being imposed because it had become a common complaint that swindlers offered poisonous/drugged food to devotees at shrines to rob them. "The distribution of food has already been banned at the shrine of Hazrat Data Gunj Bukhsh," he added. He said that the officials concerned had been asked to review the pros and cons of the plan before implementing it. He said that the department had not decided yet as to what action would be taken against those violating the ban. About the security of shrines and devotees, he said that the police posts concerned had been asked to keep an eye on suspects.
Auqaf Minister Sahabzada Saeedul Hassan Shah said that the Auqaf department had recovered its 224 acres from squatters and cultivated 6,592 acres of agricultural land in four years.
He said that the field officers of the department's record had been provided with vehicles to improve their performance. He said that the department was being computerised. He directed the officials concerned to ensure the provision of water at mosques and shrines that fell in their jurisdiction.