KARACHI, July 9: The provincial minister for Auqaf, Mian Abdul Baqi, directed the concerned officials, on Tuesday, to submit a complete report on Auqaf affairs, including details of land and other properties, income therefrom, amount of donations collected at shrines, audit reports of accounts, amounts lying in banks under fixed deposit, arrears against the people on account of rent and lease money, investigations going on against employees, etc.

He issued these directives during a presentation on the Auqaf department by the secretary, Fasihuddin Khan, chief administrator, Shamsuddin Leghari and other officials at his office.

The minister was informed that the department has about 10,912 acres of agricultural land, flats, houses and other properties in different districts belonging to different shrines under its administrative control. In all, there are 78 shrines, 80 mosques and 31 other Waqf properties under its control.

The land is leased out and shops, flats and houses are rented out. Sealed boxes of standard size in green colour, with two locks, are kept at the shrines for donations.

The keys of the boxes remain with the manager of the shrine and a bank manager and are opened every month in the presence of officials and some devotees. Some devotees also donate cattle which are sold through open auction. The minister asked for the schedule of such auctions, opening of the boxes, Deh-wise details of land and other properties. He said that he himself would visit all the shrines and take stock of the situation. He also sought details of the procedure how the lands and other properties were leased out and the amount involved.

Mian Abdul Baqi was not satisfied with the statement of income and expenditures presented to him, and directed to furnish actual figures within the next few days. The secretary informed the minister that according to reports, most of the agriculture land is not cultivable.

He said that the provincial government was proposed by the department to involve District Governments in managing the affairs of Waqf properties.

The minister was further informed that the sanctioned strength of employees of the department is 696, but only 587 employees and officials are working currently. He directed to furnish scale- wise details of vacant posts. In addition, the details of suspended officials, nature of allegations against them and the inquiries currently underway be also submitted, he added.

When officials said that the department has some fixed deposits in banks, Mian Abdul Baqi directed to submit complete information in this regard along with all the bank accounts being operated by the department.

He was further told that millions of rupees on account of rent and lease money are outstanding against the people. Mian Abdul Baqi directed to take action against such people for recovery of arrears. However, he called for information in this respect before taking any action. Similar instructions were issued when he was informed that Old Haji Camp in Lyari, property of the Auqaf department, has been occupied by the people.

The minister was also briefed about development and welfare schemes, grants and scholarships, etc.

Mian Abdul Baqi directed the concerned officials to organize Mehfil-i-Naat on the occasion of annual Urs (festivals) at shrines throughout the province.

Traditionally, musical programmes are held daily during the three-day celebrations at the shrines of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan and Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai at Bhit Shah, the minister observed and directed that in future arrangements be made to hold Mehfil-i-Naat at least one day out of the three days.

He directed that no musical programmes be organized on the day of Mehfil-i-Naat.—PPI