LAHORE, Oct 30: The Raiwind field where the father of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and ex-chief minister Shahbaz Sharif was buried a year ago, now looks like a spacious lawn, well-mowed.

A small platform has been constructed around the mud grave of Mian Sharif to for people who want to sit there and hold Quran Khwani.

The grave of the man, who enabled his sons to get political positions they could have never thought of, is in the centre of the field. Flowers of different kinds and colours have been planted around it.

Facilities have also been provided for those who want to perform ablutions to offer prayers or Fateha.

On Sunday fell his first death anniversary. However, PML-N leaders and workers will hold Quran Khwani for the late Mian Sharif on Tuesday.

The builder of what was once called the “Ittefaq empire” had died in Saudi Arabia, but was buried in Raiwind according to his will.

No member of the Sharif family had accompanied the coffin to Pakistan because of differences between the government and the leaders of the bereaved family on who should be allowed and on what terms. Talks held by ambassador Abdul Aziz Mirza with the Sharif family had failed to produce any results.

Similarly, although President Musharraf had phoned the exiled prime minister to offer condolences, the gulf between the two sides remains wide as ever.

When this reporter visited the grave of Mian Sharif on Sunday, arrangements were being made for Quran Khwani.

It is said that two gunmen and a gardener have been appointed to take care of the grave and the spacious lawn. A room has been constructed only a few metres away from the grave to enable the employees to stay there.

Admirers of Mian Sharif visit the grave on various occasions to offer Fateha. However, more people come on Fridays in the company of Shahbaz’s son Hamza.

Once it was said that a mosque and a seminary were proposed to be set up near the grave. But, so far, there are no such signs. Maybe, the project is undertaken once the Sharifs are back home.