DERA GHAZI KHAN: Following an anonymous application seeking to take charge of madressah and its assets from traditional custodian, the Auqaf department has initiated the process of taking control of 91-year-old seminary - Madressah Mehmoodia of Taunsa Sharif - from the Sajjada Nasheen.

Conducting investigation into the anonymous application against the custodianship of the seminary, the Auqaf department has decided to take over the religious institution along with its assets.

A resident of Kot Chhuta lodged an application against custodianship of Khwaja Nasarul Mehmood but when the applicant was summoned, he said although the application had his signature, he did not file the plea.

Hazrat Khwaja Mehmood, son of Hazrat Khwaja Allah Bukhsh, had founded the seminary in 1929. Khwaja Fakharuddin, son of Nasarul Mehmood, told Dawn that according to the will penned by founder Khwaja Mehmood, custodianship of the seminary and its assets in shape of agriculture lands in Sargodha, Mailsi, Lodhran and Taunsa Sharif would be managed by elder son of every generation. As many as 375 acres were allocated for the seminary in 1929.

Khwaja Fakhar, son of present custodian Khwaja Nasar, claimed that the Auqaf secretary issued a report in his favour in light of the will but

the department did not honour the report and issued a notice under section 7 that the property may be taken over.

Khwaja Nasar alleged on electronic and print media that Usman Buzdar had taken revenge of his defeat by his brother Nizamul Mehmood in the 2013 elections.

Talking to Dawn, Nasar claimed that he would challenge the matter in the court again.

It merits mentioning that at least 1,000 students are getting religious and formal education. The annual income from assets amounted to over Rs10 million. It merits mentioning that at least 1,000 students are getting religious and formal education. The annual income from assets amounted to over Rs10 million.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2020