Auqaf investing in restoring mosques
The Auqaf department has given the contract for the maintenance of the structure to a private contractor but the work has not been done. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Special assistant to the Punjab chief minister for Auqaf Syed Rafaqat Ali Gillani said that 24 projects, worth Rs680 million, were approved for the renovation and restoration of Mosques and Darbars around the province. While four new schemes will receive Rs72.56 million, 19 ongoing schemes will receive Rs607.44 million as part of the district development package.
“The Auqaf Department is carrying out a number of projects for the mosques and darbars being constructed and refurbished around the province,” he said, adding, “In Punjab, fresco work, tile work, woodwork, brick patterns and other ancient traditions of adorning Sufi shrines and mosques are being revived by the Department of Auqaf and Religious Affairs.”
Gillani further said that the Auqaf Organization is in charge of providing funding for the Badshahi Mosque’s refurbishment. While the Archaeology Walled City Authority (WCLA) is in charge of refurbishing Alamgiri Badshahi Mosque, the renovation of which Alamgiri Badshah Mosque would cost Rs350.57 million. These expenditures were sanctioned by the Punjab Government. Of this sum, Rs20 million will be spent this year, for which tenders have been published.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2022.