The Auqaf Department is working on a comprehensive strategy to improve level of services by providing better facilities to the visitors besides ensuring better management and maintenance of Auqaf properties dedicated for religious, pious and charitable purposes.
This was said by Auqaf Minister Saeed ul Hassan Shah while addressing a meeting of seminary students held at his home on Thursday. "The purpose of reforms is to make the holy places centres of social, cultural and spiritual regeneration of Muslims in accordance with the dictates of Islam," he said.
"Ever since the Muslims set foot on the soil of subcontinent, mosques and shrines have been not only source of inspiration and spiritual guidance but also the platform of religious learning and propagation of Islam through liberal humanitarian and mutual brotherhood teaching of the saints."
Undoubtedly, the mosques and shrines of saints have had a pivotal role in spreading the message of Islam in South Asia, he observed. Dwelling upon the performance of the Auqaf Department the minister said various uplift measures have already been initiated in this regard.
Instructions have been issued to ensure providing of clean potable water at shrines & mosques administered by the Auqaf Department. He said Auqaf's high-ups had been directed to ensure enforcement of official shoe keeping rates at shrines by the contractors. The minister informed that the Jahez Committee at Data Darbar distributes dowry goods worth Rs 150,000 per month, among poor & needy girls, through a transparent manner. Likewise, dowry goods worth Rs 50,000 among 10 girls are also distributed at each zonal level in Punjab, he informed.