Directions issued to eliminate dengue, complete mutations of Auqaf lands and ensure effective monitoring of development projects at shrines
Lahore
Secretary and Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab, Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, has stated that the protection of Auqaf properties, enhancement of departmental income and revenue, and timely achievement of government-assigned targets are among the top priorities of the Auqaf Department.
He warned that departmental action would be taken against officials who fail to achieve their targets, while mechanisms for self-accountability and effective performance monitoring are being further strengthened.
He expressed these views while chairing a conference of Zonal Administrators at Aiwan-e-Auqaf, Lahore. The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Auqaf Nabeela Javed, Director General Religious Affairs Hafiz Anees-ur-Rehman, Director Administration Auqaf Muhammad Shakir Sandhu, Director Projects Auqaf Rafiq Noor Wattoo, Director Estate Auqaf Punjab Muhammad Qaiser Naeem Azam, Director Finance Auqaf Alveena Faiz, Director Agriculture Dr. Waqasuddin Khan, Deputy Directors Auqaf Azeem Hayat, Hafiz Yousaf, Tahir Ahmed and Ayaz Habib, Medical Superintendent Data Darbar Hospital Dr. Javed Iqbal, Assistant Directors Auqaf Ahmed-ur-Rehman and Israr Shah, and Zonal Administrators Muhammad Ali Khan, Rana Ehsan, Gulzar Ahmed and Jahangir Ahmed.
Zonal Administrators Abdul Shakoor, Ghulam Abbas Abbasi, Ayaz Mahmood Lashari, Rana Tariq Ali, Babar Sultan Gondal and Muhammad Jameel Ahmed participated through video link.
The conference reviewed the department’s administrative, financial and development-related activities in detail. On the special instructions of Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, dedicated teams comprising the Director Lease, Assistant Director Estate and two patwaris visited the Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur and Mithankot Auqaf zones, where hundreds of acres of Auqaf land were found under illegal cultivation.
The Secretary Auqaf directed the concerned officials to complete the necessary proceedings and submit recommendations for increasing departmental revenue from the relevant mauzas (revenue estates), thereby ensuring effective protection of Auqaf properties and enhancing revenue generation. Dr. Bhutta directed officials to ensure that religious scholars and preachers actively disseminate awareness about dengue prevention and precautionary measures among the public.
He instructed the concerned officers to monitor dengue-related targets daily and ensure the elimination of dengue larvae. He further directed that public awareness be enhanced regarding the newly established galleries at model shrines, particularly the Iqbal Hall Gallery and the Gallery of Sacred Relics, enabling visitors to benefit from these valuable historical, religious and cultural assets.
He emphasised that promoting religious tourism, improving shrine facilities and restoring architectural heritage require integrated planning and continuous monitoring. Regarding mutations of Auqaf lands, Dr. Bhutta reiterated that the protection of endowed properties remains a foremost priority.
He directed that legal and land-record matters be pursued effectively and that necessary measures, including coordination with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), be undertaken to facilitate the completion of land mutations.
He also instructed officials to expedite the removal of illegal constructions and accelerate planning for commercial schemes and development projects on Auqaf lands.
He added that ongoing measures to increase departmental income and revenue should be made more effective, while matters concerning commercial and residential units must also be addressed efficiently.
Emphasising performance-based administrative reforms, he called for accountability at every level to ensure the achievement of prescribed targets. Dr. Ehsan Bhutta concluded by stressing that effective follow-up, continuous monitoring and timely action are essential for achieving meaningful results, directing all officers to perform their duties diligently and ensure the timely attainment of departmental objectives.
