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Punjab Auqaf to

abolish 12 posts

LAHORE: Auqaf Department, Punjab, has decided to abolish the posts of twelve deputy administrators to streamline the working of the organisation which will save Rs one million annually.

This was stated on Sunday by the Provincial Auqaf Minister Shahnawaz Cheema while talking with the newsmen after the inauguration of a three-day book exhibition on Seera-tun-Nabi and Islam at the Alhamra Art Centre.

The Minister said the deputy administrators would not be fired instead they would be promoted as zonal administrators for the better management of the department.

Cheema informed the newsmen that his department will spend Rs 40 million on renovation, maintenance and upkeep of the various shrines under its control throughout the province.

The Minister said the Auqaf Department has also decided to award scholarships to the talented orphan children from next year to imbibe them with the teachings of Holy Prophet and Islam.

He further stated that in order to increase the earnings of the department it has been decided to auction Auqaf lands located in the various parts of the province for commercial and residential use.

The Auqaf Minister said a beginning will be made with the auction of land in Shah Sadiq Aahang in Jhang District where nearly 100 acres will be up for sale.

Shahnawaz Cheema also informed that his department has decided to restore the Hajveri Chair in Punjab University while Bahauddin Zikriya Chair in Multan and Khawaja Farid Chair in Islamia University, Bahawalpur, will be also instituted.

Abdur Rasheed Khan, Secretary, Auqaf, told the newsmen that the earning of his department from various shrines has gone up from Rs 160 million to Rs 190 million with the major segment of the collection being the cash boxes.

Answering a question, he said a committee had been constituted to inquire into the leakage of the roof of Data Darbar Mosque.

Earlier, speaking at the inauguration of the exhibition Shahnawaz Cheema exphasized the importance of imparting religious education for better understanding of Islam and the achievements of Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Twenty renowned publishers and book traders have set up their stalls. The exhibition is a part of the one-day Provincial Seerat Conference being organised by the Auqaf Department.

The Auqaf Department has set a committee to decide the best stalls and the owner will be awarded prizes.

Punjab Governor Lt.Gen (retd) Raja Saroop Khan, will inaugurate the conference on Monday at the Alhamra Art Centre while Chief Minister Mian Manzur Ahmad Wattoo will chair the concluding session.-APP