LAHORE, Nov 12: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi decided on Friday to establish a provincial minority board for the protection of the rights of minorities and their progress. While attending a briefing of the provincial auqaf department here he also approved a Rs30 million project for the renovation and repair of the Badshahi Mosque.

He said Punjab Minorities Minister Joyce Rufian Julius would directly supervise the separate administrative structure (the board). He also approved the post of an additional secretary auqaf to look after religious places of minorities.

He said protection of minorities and their rights were the basics of Islamic injunctions. The government had established a separate ministry for them to focus on their welfare.

While approving the plan for the repair of the Badshahi Mosque he ordered to restore its original look and stop its deterioration. The chief minister approved Rs30 million for the establishment of Seerat Academy which would promote the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and encourage research on Islam. The academy would have a large number of books on the life of the prophet and Islam.

He said help centres were being established to locate and look after lost children at the shrines. He also approved the setting up of a child welfare centre at the shrine of Data Sahib.

The chief minister ordered the establishment of university chairs in all higher government educational institutions in the name of saints to propagate their teachings. This would help promote peace, tolerance and brotherhood in the society, he said.

Meanwhile, Population Welfare Minister Shahbaz Husain called on the chief minister and discussed with him matters about his ministry, development projects in the province and of national importance.

Jhelum Nazim Farrukh Altaf and Barrister Fawad Ahmad were also present on the occasion. Lahore Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood also called on the chief minister and discussed with him development projects in the city.