Auqaf ministry spending huge amount on shrines: Zaeem
LAHORE, (MILLAT ONLINE):Punjab Minister for Religious Affairs and Auqaf Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri
Monday said that hefty sum of Rs 100.133 million was being spent on repair and conservation of shrines/mazars across the province.
“Besides this, the government is making all out efforts to maintain religious harmony among all sects,” he added.
Talking to APP at his Punjab Assembly chamber Zaeem Qadri,said facilitating visitors at shrines and mazars was responsibility of Auqaf department, adding ample funds had been provided to administrations looking after various shrines under control of ministry of religious affairs. He said the distribution of free food at shrines was also being ensured to feed poor and all visitors.
He said additional funds had been earmarked to build more rooms around shrines to facilitate out-station visitors.
The minister dispelled the impression about misuse of ‘nazarana’ (donations) being collected from shrines and mazars, saying the money was being spent on rebuilding/maintaining shrines. He added that special courses were being carried out for raising awareness and education of religious scholars and mosque Imams.
The minister, replying to a question said National Action Plan was being implemented actively which led to significant decline in terrorist activities across the country. He credited the government for its untiring efforts in implementation of the National Action Plan through concerted efforts.
Zaeem Qadri, a staunch Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader criticized the opposition, especially the PTI leadership for playing negative politics in the country. He said the anti-progress forces did not want the country to progress and stand on its own feet.
He said such underhand tactics could not lessen popularity of Nawaz Sharif as he emerged most popular leader of the country. “Nawaz Sharif lives in hearts of people,” Zaeem said.
He said those who wanted early elections would face utter disappointment as people would reject these conspirators in election of 2018.