SARGODHA: Despite a written request of the district Auqaf department not to take action against the tenants, the municipal corporation (MC) sealed more than 50 shops around the Jamia Masjid, Block 1, Muslim Bazaar, Sargodha, on the orders of the commissioner.

According to sources, the Auqaf district manager said in a letter that the central mosque, built in 1906, was taken over by the department in 1960, after which no changes have been made. T

he front and back of the mosque are in a very dilapidated condition, for which the higher authorities have been requested for repair, while the municipality was asked not to take any action against the tenants, but, on Sunday night, on the orders of the commissioner, the municipality sealed more than 50 shops around the mosque.

Commissioner Jahanzeb Awan has decided to conduct a complete structural survey of the historical mosque and issued instructions to seek the services of a team from the Building Research Institute, Lahore.

Action taken to conduct repair and avert any eventuality

He said in light of the report, if the market located below the mosque is declared dangerous, the entire market will be evacuated and closed immediately, because human life is precious, and the Punjab government has instructed that if any old or weak building is declared dangerous, its immediate clearance should be ensured.

The commissioner directed the buildings department, municipal corporation and the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (Pera) to conduct a joint survey of all the structures below and around the mosque.

He directed the Auqaf department to immediately audit the electrical wiring of the mosque and submit a report so that there is no possibility of fire or short circuit. The commissioner expressed his displeasure over the storage of fireworks in the rooms above the shops and ordered the Auqaf administrator to immediately cancel the allotment of such shops and get the space vacated.

In the meeting, the commissioner was briefed that the mosque was functional in the past with doors on all four sides and there were five-foot verandas below, which have now been completely encroached upon. The shopkeepers have also occupied another three feet of space in front of the verandas, which has increased the total encroachment to eight feet.

The commissioner said a team from the Building Research Institute, Lahore, will conduct a detailed survey of the mosque, minarets and all the surrounding buildings. The next steps for restoration and repair will be decided on the basis of the report.

He also took notice of the minarets, plaster and other dilapidated parts of the mosque and directed the Auqaf department to prepare a comprehensive restoration scheme and seek funds from the Punjab government, as this mosque is a valuable historical heritage of the people of Sargodha.

The municipal officer regulations (MOR) informed the meeting about the initial condition of the mosque and surrounding buildings based on old maps and records.

PERA: The Pera force along with the administration conducted a grand operation in Block 8 and demolished several permanent and temporary encroachments.

Reports said under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Shirin Gul in Sargodha city, the Pera force and the anti-encroachment team jointly demolished several temporary encroachments in Block 8 and made it clear to the traders that heavy fines and cases will be registered by taking over the government land.

Citizens emphasised the need for such an operation throughout the city and said that the elimination of encroachments and illegal rickshaw stands is very important for the beauty of the city.

It is learnt that Pera has also urged the traders and citizens in localities to voluntarily remove encroachments otherwise without further notice the authority will demolish all types of encroachments.

ARRESTED: Factory Area police arrested three women of the honey-trap gang which had been active since long to traps citizens by making calls and video and extorted millions of rupees through blackmail.

On receipt of complaints, police conducted raids to arrest the women. Factory Area police traced and arrested three women involved in the honey-trap activities.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2025