Railways-Auqaf dispute over ancient shrine escalates

A fierce ownership dispute between Pakistan Railways and the Auqaf Department over the 200-year-old Syed Masoom Shah shrine — spread across just 105 square feet on Railway Station Road — has reached its peak.

From December 13, 2005 to September 2025, revenue from offerings at the shrine totals Rs394,673,334, and both government departments are aggressively fighting in courts, anti-corruption bodies, and the FIA to claim authority over the income.

Courts and the FIA have issued decisions in favor of the Auqaf Department. However, the Rawalpindi division of Pakistan Railways has warned that if the police and district administration attempt to hand over the shrine through force, the railway police will resist, and responsibility will lie with the district administration.

The Auqaf Administrator for Rawalpindi Division said that under Section 7 of the Waqf Properties Ordinance 1979, the Masoom Shah shrine legally belongs to the Punjab Auqaf Organization.

He said shrine income is used for employee salaries, langar distribution, assistance to the needy, and maintenance of shrines.

The Divisional Superintendent of Pakistan Railways, Rawalpindi, contends that the shrine is situated on railway land.

He said the railways maintain a separate account for shrine income, which is spent on welfare work, dowries for daughters of employees, financial assistance for widows of deceased employees, support for children, and funeral expenses for employees and their families.

According to Auqaf focal person Qari Raheem Abbasi, after the courts and FIA ruled in favor of the department, the case has now been forwarded to the Rawalpindi commissioner.

The court has directed the commissioner to hear both sides in detail, inspect the site, and issue a final decision, which is expected by December 31.