CJP orders audit of shrine donations

Says amount should have been spent on provision of better facilities to visitors

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar ordered on Sunday a forensic audit of the money collected in donations at shrines by the Punjab Auqaf Department in the Punjab.

The CJP was hearing a case pertaining to the collection of donations from shrines in the province.

The lawyer who appeared on behalf of the government informed the court that so far, Rs800 million had been collected in donations at shrines this year.

The CJP pointed out that this amount should have been spent on providing better facilities to visitors.

The lawyer said that this amount was being used to pay salaries of employees and their pensions. During the hearing, the CJP asked the provincial secretary Auqaf when had he last visited the Data Darbar and what steps had he taken.

In response, the secretary Auqaf said that he had visited the shrine six days ago and conditions at the shrine were improving.

The CJP again asked the secretary which shrines he had visited over the past six months.

Rejecting the report submitted by the Auqaf department, he said that it was unsatisfactory.

The CJP ordered the department to submit another report after ordering a forensic audit of the provincial Auqaf Department.